Brad Barbee
Photo Taken June 2006
Photo Taken June 2007
Brad is a Christian and a member at Bethany Baptist Church. He accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in November of 2003 and joined the church.
On July 28, 2004, his mother, Wanda Barbee, took him swimming, along with his baby brother, Phillip and best friend, Maverick.
Brad complained about a headache. He had always been healthy, and his mother had no idea what was wrong with him.
When Brad's condition became worse, Wanda got the three boys into the car and started driving them to the hospital. By now Brad was unconscious, and this was when his mother noticed he was not breathing and his lips were turning blue. Wanda did not want to stop the car, she knew she had to get help as soon as possible. Brad's friend, Maverick had never performed rescue breathing before. Wanda said, "Just pinch his nose, and blow into his mouth." He was willing to do whatever Wanda told him, and she was able to keep driving.
They made it to Bleckley Memorial Hospital in time, but they learned that Brad needed emergency brain surgery because of an abnormality at the back of his skull. This was a condition Brad had been born with, but he had no symptoms until this day.
Brad was sent to Macon to the Children's Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery and was in a comatose state for three weeks.
When Brad finally woke up from the coma, he needed more treatment. The doctors sent him to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Atlanta.
Brad is better now and is at home with his family. He has a trach and a feeding tube. He was in a wheel chair for a while, but now he can use a walker. Because of the brain surgery, Brad will have to re-learn everything (walking and talking, etc.).
God has heard and answered many prayers for Brad, and we continue to pray for him. God has decided the world is a better place with Brad than without him. The doctors and nurses were shocked that he survived at all.
We are all thankful that he is getting better every day.
At the time that this happened, Brad was 6 years old. His best friend who performed rescue breathing on the way to the hospital was only 7 years old.
Brad's mom, Wanda, is a stay-at-home mom. Brad's father, Mike, is the sole provider for the family. He works at the PBS TV Station in Cochran, Georgia. Mike had to miss so much work because of Brad's illness, his co-workers got together and donated three months of leave so the family would have some income during this tough time. If anyone wants to make a donation to help Brad and his family, please contact State Bank of Cochran and ask about the:
215 Beech Street
Cochran, Georgia 31014
(478) 934-4501
