CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Mayor Tom Rowland is back at work this week nearly two months after the traffic accident that injured him and his wife, Sandra.
The past weeks have been filled with medical care, physical therapy and tons of cards, flowers, prayers and best wishes, he said.
"You never know when, at the snap of a finger, your life can change in an instant. Or you can lose your life,'' the mayor said Monday as he attended a Cleveland City Council meeting.
The accident occurred two months ago in a thunderstorm when a bolt of lighting struck a power transformer just as the Rowlands drove past, causing a head-on collision with another vehicle. The other driver was not injured. Mrs. Rowland was treated and released several weeks ago.
During the weeks of recovery, Mr. Rowland said, he was visited often by Vice Mayor Avery Johnson and City Manager Janice Casteel to discuss city business.
The evening of the accident, many people came to the emergency room to be with them, including city council members, civic leaders and others, he said.
"I don't remember everybody who was there,'' the mayor said. "Richard (Banks) kept saying, 'let me take your shoes off.' And I didn't want my shoes off. I thought I was going to get up and walk out."
Mr. Rowland said he wants to "thank everybody for your inquiries, your attention. I want to thank the folks at SkyRidge (Medical Center) for all they did and the folks at Life Care where I stayed for six or seven weeks for in-patient therapy. Now I will continue outpatient therapy three days a week."
"I didn't think I would ever walk again," he said. "The therapy has worked wonders. Prayers, even more."
Council members wished the mayor a continued recovery.
"And I am really, really glad he is back," said Mr. Johnson, who took up the mayor's duties during those nearly two months.
Continue reading by following this link to a related story:
Article: Cleveland mayor and wife in hospital following traffic accident