Whitesville supports Rhodes family after sixth-grader’s life-threatening ATV accident

On July 11, a perfectly normal ATV ride took a horrible turn for Braxton Rhodes and his three friends. While the other three boys only got away with a few stitches and sprains, Rhodes was flown by rescue helicopter to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, where he fought for his life and eventually lost a leg.

Rhodes is a sixth-grader at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic School in Whitesville. As the Whitesville community typically does, they have supported the young man, organizing fundraisers, helping with farm work and more.

“The support has been overwhelming, almost unimaginable,” said Rhodes’ father, Rodney. “So many people have reached out and offered their prayers and support. A close friend had to remind me that this community is not going to give in and we just have to embrace the support.”

When Rhodes arrived at Norton’s that Thursday, his family said he was awake and well. Doctors found a broken femur, a dislocated hip and a cut on his back.

During surgery the next day to repair his femur, doctors discovered the cut was on his hip. They quickly determined he had a life-threatening infection and put him on a ventilator.

Further operations followed.

“Norton’s is amazing – they are such compassionate people,” Rodney said. “It’s reassuring how the nurses care about Braxton like he’s one of them. If they’ve had a day off, they come right over on their next shift to check on how he’s doing.”

Last Friday, doctors decided that amputating Rhodes’ leg was the best solution. It was his sixth surgery in 11 days. Since then, he has been doing much better, his family said, with his vital signs, temperature and blood pressure improving.

Rodney said the community support was immediate.

A few days ago, a group of young men from the community made sure that all of the Rhodes’ hay was bundled and stored on their farm. Most of the helpers were friends of Rhodes’ older brother, Clayton.

St. Mary of the Woods Parrish is collecting a second donation at each Mass through the end of August. Another fundraiser raised $19,000 in less than a week. The Higdons turned a regular family barbecue into a fundraiser, raising $2,500 in one evening. The parish is also planning a fundraiser at the home of Michael “Doodle” Morris.

The entire family expressed their gratitude for the continued prayers and support, adding that it is almost impossible to thank everyone who has reached out.

Rodney added that Braxton continues to show signs of improvement.

“He had a good weekend,” he said. “Everything is improving and he has to come off his medications. He is still on a ventilator, but he is communicating with us through hand signals. We just ask for continued prayers.”