Life can change in an instant. Just ask the Payne family of Toccoa. Connie and Chuck Payne’s 12 year old son Conner is confined to a wheelchair. He requires constant care. It wasn’t always like this.
Just look at the photos of him on Facebook and you’ll see how quickly – how drastically – Conner’s life has changed. Not so long ago he was a happy, seemingly healthy young boy with a zest for life. The pictures tell the story of a kid who played music, played on the beach and smiled a lot. Oh, how he smiled.
His smile is gone now, replaced by the exhaustion and exasperation of a young boy’s spirit that is fighting hard to overcome being trapped inside his own body.
Conner was born with fluid on his brain – a condition called hydrocephalus. A shunt was used to drain the fluid but, over time, he began suffering severe pain and other symptoms. On February 10th of this year Conner’s shunt failed. He suffered traumatic brain injury. His mom found him unresponsive and administered CPR. Conner was life-flighted to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta and that’s where he stayed for 87 days. His parents took turns staying with him in Atlanta and with his younger sister at home.
Conner returned home in early May. His mom gave up her job. Now she takes care of him full time and says, “He’s like a 12 year-old baby.”
The physical challenge of caring for Conner is hard but the financial strain is exacting an even bigger toll. The travel expenses to and from Atlanta during Conner’s hospital stay added up and now the Paynes are buried under mounting medical bills. With just one wage earner in the family it’s tough to make ends meet. That’s why Connie and Chuck are so grateful for the help they’ve received from the local community.
The family lives in Toccoa and attends church in Mt. Airy. Welcome Home Baptist recently held a large yard sale and sold meals and baked goods. Young people, men and women were involved in the event. The weather was sunny and Connie says the sales went “tremendously well.” The fundraiser helped the Paynes with some of their expenses, but more expenses remain.
On Saturday, June 20, another fundraiser will be held, this time at Mega Motorsports in Toccoa. The business is sponsoring a motorcycle ride from Toccoa to South Carolina. The cost is $15 per motorcyclist or $25 per couple. The ride starts at 10:30 a.m. at Mega Motorsports on GA 17 Alternate in Toccoa and will follow a scenic route to Chau Ram Park in Westminster, SC. Hot dog plates will be sold at the park for $6 and $2 raffle tickets will be sold for prizes. You can register by calling Shawn Westmoreland of Mega Motorsports at 706-244-3170 or Chris Lawson at 706-968-5247.
If you can’t ride, you can still help.
Westmoreland accepts donations on behalf of the Paynes at Mega Motorsports and the North Georgia Credit Union in Toccoa has a donation account set up in Conner’s name. Donations and cards may also be mailed directly to the family at 337 Colston Drive, Toccoa, GA 30577.
It’s been a long journey for the Paynes but they’re holding on to hope that Conner will recover. They’re living, working and praying for the day when his smile returns and life will once again change, this time for the better.
Conner’s Journey in pictures
For more on Conner Payne’s journey follow him on Facebook at Conner’s Miracle.
