Injured teen, family touched by outpouring of support

Nov. 08--WESTPORT -- Friday afternoon, Thomas Powers, 17, of Westport, lost part of one leg below the knee in a farming accident when his foot was caught in an auger.

Since then, Thomas' mother, Penny Powers, said the whole family has been touched by the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community.

Thomas was working at Ortman Farms Friday afternoon, as part of a work program where he attends school half the day and goes to work the other half. The accident happened at approximately 3 p.m., and the medical helicopter, which would usually land at the high school, was forced to seek an alternate landing area on Highway 3.

Thomas was taken by StatFlight helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery Friday, resulting in the loss of his leg below the knee.

"It was not salvageable," Powers said.

According to his mother, Thomas had another surgery Sunday, where surgeons were able to close the wound some. She said he has another surgery coming up this week, where surgeons will complete a skin graft and finish closing the wound.

Thomas faces several more weeks in the hospital and at an acute therapy center at St. Vincent. During this time, his mother will not be leaving his side and has taken a leave of absence from her job. This will leave her husband, Thomas W., with the couple's other children, Beth Powers, 16, and Billie Powers, 14. Powers said the family has not set up a GoFundMe page, but would be placing coffee cans at locations around Westport if anyone wanted to help ease the financial strain during Thomas' recovery.

Love and Gratitude

Though shocked by such traumatic chaos thrust into their lives, the family remains grateful.

"I am overwhelmed by all the love people have shown my little family. It's enough to bring tears to my eyes," Powers said via Facebook on Monday. "The God we serve is such an amazing God. I can't thank everyone enough and because of all the love everyone has given my boy, he's doing amazing and he's got such a good spirit about all of this right now. He keeps saying, 'I know I'm going to be okay because God's taking care of me.' And he is so right. Yes, I know he's got a long and painful road ahead, but I'm sure glad God chose to take his leg (below the knee) and not his life."

Powers said she had far too many people on the list of those she wanted to thank, but asked that special care be taken to thank the emergency responders that came to the scene and attended to Thomas' injuries. Powers also thanked Tymon Gardner and Danny Ortman, both of whom work at the farm, who provided first aid to Thomas before the ambulance arrived.

"They saved my boy," Powers said.

Powers said the support from South Decatur High School, where Thomas is a junior, has been touching.

"This boy has had his vice principal, his principal, and six of his teachers up here to see him," Powers said.

Schoolwork is being held for Thomas and when he is home, will be delivered to the home so he can start catching up on assignments. The teen faces at least two months of physical healing and waiting for swelling to go down before he can begin the process to be fitted with a prosthetic limb. Powers said he will not be attending school before then.

Thomas hasn't been lacking for visitors outside school staff, either, his mother said. In addition to his girlfriend, Jamie Matern, who hasn't left his side, Thomas' hospital room has been "standing room only, since he got here," his mother adding that the outpouring of affection is overwhelming.

Since the accident, the family has been flooded with prayers, love, and support of all kinds. Powers said it makes her tear up to think of it, and the community shows no signs of letting up anytime soon.

In a touching moment of community fellowship, the Owens family, who are reeling from Chris Owens' farming accident just days before Thomas', brought food for the Powers family because they had extra. Powers said the family's pastor has stopped by the hospital room to pray every day.

"In the time of their sorrow, they have reached out to our family with comfort," Powers said.

Prayers Still Needed

When asked what her family needs most right now, Powers answered, "Prayers. We are big churchgoers."

The family attends Rodney Wesleyan Church and said that more than anything, the best way to help relieve their stress right now is to pray.

Powers said Thomas' life revolves around farm work, something he truly loves. To him, she said it is more than just work, "It's his life."

"He loves working on the farm. Just farm life," she said when asked about his interests and hobbies. "That's all he really knows. He loves working with the cows."

Anyone wishing to send cards or letters to Thomas may send them to 9216 S. Co. Rd. 60 SW, Westport, 47283.

"I want to thank everybody for the outreach of prayers and love that they have extended to my son and I and to my family," Powers said.

Contact: Amanda Browning 812-663-3111x7004; Amanda.browning@greensburgdailynews.com

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