While traveling home from church services in the far north of New Zealand November 5th 2007, Gary Walker, his wife and daughter were involved in a horrific motor vehicle accident. A truck carrying sawn timber entered a sweeping bend too fast with an unstable load, causing the trailer to jackknife directly across the road. It tipped causing the timber and trailer to hurtle directly into Gary’s vehicle which was traveling the opposite direction.
When the car finally stopped sliding Hannah, 10 years old was screaming. Gary’s wife shouted at her that everything was OK. She said, “We’re alright, you’re alright, Jesus is with us.” She stopped screaming. Gary's wife looked over at him only to see a lifeless wrecked body. In the crush of the car he grey with his eyes rolled back, not breathing and perfectly still. Blood was hosing out of his nose. Something spoke to her to pray, she tried to lay her hand on him but found her arm wouldn’t move. She began to pray, with Hannah joining in the “fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man.” Gary began to breathe, gurgling in the blood.
People arriving at the scene took us out of the wreck, emergency services began to arrive and Gary died again. A piece of paper found in Gary’s clothes recording Gary’s status state he was deceased at 17:48pm. Through out this whole time Mrs. Walker while injured prayed in confidence that God would deliver them in their time of need.
Hannah still at the scene of the accident told the police officer not to worry, “Everything is going to be OK. We’re Christians.”
His wife was transported by ambulance and Hannah was lost in the confusion. She wasn't to be reunited with her mother for another five hours.
Arriving at the emergency department his wife was informed that Gary had a severe head injury (air in his brain, bleeding in the brain, large hemorrhage in the skull) with multiple broken bones including the temporal bone, orbits, and sinuses. His palate was also split. Other injuries were broken shoulder blade, degloving of tissue from right upper arm; fractured T12 (spine) fractured ribs, shattered right pelvis, fractured left upper leg and kneecap. Tendons were torn off right shoulder and left knee.
Gary’s nurse in emergency took his wife to see him for the last time alive. He was on life support and unrecognizable.
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| A |
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| B |
A: A rod in the femur, screws and wires in knee cap
B: Screws and plates in shattered pelvis
B: Screws and plates in shattered pelvis
C: Shattered pelvis
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| C |
Then began a series of major operations to rebuild his face, pelvis, tendons in his shoulder. His femur had a rod inserted to repair the leg fracture, his knee wired and open wound on his arm skin grafted. For weeks Gary suffered confusion and months the most terrible pain. His bowel stopped working and took a very long time to come right causing the most terrible humiliation.
He had to relearn to swallow, talk, eat, walk and get some use out of his left hand.
Time and time again impossible situations were changed when prayer was made for them. Only by the grace of God he was able to bear these burdens with fortitude and a positive outlook.
He was told he would not be able to close his right eye because of the nerve damage and facial palsy. He was given creams and drops for his eye. Doctors said there was nothing they could do for his extreme double vision. Gary can close his eye and has no double vision at all.
A friend prayed specifically for his left side paralysis and the next day Gary lifted his arm off the bed. After about six weeks Gary began to have seizures. People prayed and he never had another one.
Because of the open fractures leacking CSF out of his nose, he was warned that he had a very high risk of meningitis. A few days later he had a headache, stiff neck, nausea, increased temperature and he had lost the movement he had gained in his left arm. His doctor told him, "you have it!" After prayer he was taken for tests. By the afternoon all the symptoms had disappeared and the tests were negative.
When he first lifted his left leg, he was told by his physiotherapist, "this is nothing but the power of prayer." The rehabilitation consultant to Gary he would never lift his foot. The next day he pulled his foot up a fraction which continued to strengthen.
After three months in Waikato Hospital he was transferred to Rotorua Rehabilitation unit where he did therapy for five months.
There were serious setbacks but by focusing on the grace of God and the promises He has given, Gary and his family passed through these times without the depression and anger that many who suffer these extreme problems go through.
He still suffers from fatigue which needs to be managed, poor working memory, complete deafness in his right ear, mild balance problems and limited movement in his left hip. He can walk with a limp but can’t bend enough to put his shoes on. He has limited shoulder movement and has no functional ability for work done over his head. Though his emotions are different now, he doesn’t suffer depression or other afflictions common with head injuries. It is very difficult for him to concentrate on new learning but can still study for his sermons. Regardless of the negative prognosis, by faith he believes the promises in the Word of God and looks forward to a complete healing.
For two years after the accident Gary had therapy to gain strength and coordination. Attempts to regain the use of muscles that no longer responded because of the head injury were made. Joints needed to be mobilised and mental stamina regained. Memory exercises were done over and over again and hand writing was practised.
There have been many medical assessments, psychology assessments and a few more operations. God gave Gary the determination to do all he can to improve his lot and he rigidly followed a challenging exercise regime.
Emotional difficulties and frustration were managed by character only found in Christ, the prayers of the saints and support of those around him.
Soon after the accident while hospitalised Gary and I wondered about the reason for all of this. Amongst many lesser things, as we watched everything that tied us to New Zealand be taken away from us, we wondered if God wanted us to return to Australia. Over the next ten months saw many supernatural signs indicating this to be the will of God. In 2011, impossible situations were turned around allowing us to immigrate to Australia. Within 4 years of the accident Gary was back to fulltime employment, pastoring a church north of Brisbane city.
Though he has been told many times that there would be no more improvement in his condition after two years of the trauma he continues to slowly improve. He rarely slurs his words when tired, walks more steadily and has recently noticed freeing of the stiffness in his left hip. His right knee gives him a lot less pain. He is gaining more use of his left hand and can lift this arm well over his head.
God has protected his ministry and he can still preach inspired sermons. It has been his privilege to take this testimony of Gods grace to many countries bringing encouragement and inspiring faith in many. His preaching has sped up and he no longer “looses” words. He also quotes scriptures newly learnt from memory.
Since two years after discharge from hospital Gary had the privilege of travelling to many countries to testify of the healing power of God and preach the gospel. Even though he still suffers fatigue he is strengthened during these times and manages to cope with itineraries that are punishing.
This testimony has been translated into many languages and reached into the farthest places of the world impacting the lives of many people. Not only has it been an encouragement for many but we have report of at least one person being baptised in Christian baptism as a result of it.
In a very dark time in hospital Gary made his complaint to God. A Voice spoke to him and said, “If you knew the big picture, you would volunteer for this.” At that time no one knew how big the picture was, but now we begin to see and thank God for the opportunity to serve Him as He sees fit.
Three Times Dead But Still Alive a book which tells the full story and can be ordered at mrs.dwalker@hotmail.com
