Today’s post concludes our three-part story on the star of our latest commercial – Ashton Lockhart. In the previous installment, our Trauma Surgeon Dr. Glen Franklin described his experience treating Ashton after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Now, Ashton shares with us below what it was like for him to be a trauma patient and describes his road to recovery. Thank you, Ashton, for sharing your amazing story of survival with us. We wish you and your beautiful family nothing but health and happiness always!

“I remember waking up in the hospital for the first time and seeing my family huddled around me,” Ashton said. “The only way I can describe it is that it was like a movie.”

Ashton would soon learn what happened to him. He was told that he was not only hit by a car, but he was also a hit-and-run victim. Despite offering a $5,000 reward for information, no one came forward, and the police could not determine who did it.

“I think everybody makes mistakes. I forgive whoever did this, but the fact is that he or she never stopped to check what they hit,” said Ashton.

Though Ashton sustained a number of injuries, he was fortunate that none of them were neurological. Throughout his stay at University of Louisville Hospital, he was very appreciative of the care he and his wife, Elizabeth, received  

“The Operating Room staff was amazing. They were always checking in with my wife, and they helped her get through it,” said Ashton. “The nurses on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit were extremely kind, attentive and did everything they could to make me feel comfortable.”

The surgeries and other procedures went well, and Ashton spent the next three weeks in intensive care units and at a rehab facility.

He credits the Trauma and Orthopaedic teams for helping him be where he is today, which includes recently welcoming his second daughter into the world – 3 month-old Ella. Ashton and Elizabeth also have a 3-year old, Barrett.

Before he was hit by a car, Ashton was an avid runner, which included completing mini-marathons.

After being discharged from the hospital, Ashton was in a wheelchair for three months, and his doctors told him running was no longer an exercise option. However, that has not stopped him from picking up new exercises like swimming.   

“There are still pains, especially in the morning, but I’m alive,” Ashton said. “Prior to this situation, I feel like I was taking a lot of things for granted, but I have a new perspective on life – to live it to the fullest.”