Max Krohn, 17, was just 16 when he fell 30 feet from the roof at his family’s vacation rental on 30A in South Walton County. Due to the fall, Max suffered a traumatic brain injury. He and his parents, Kara and Chad Krohn, recently visited Ascension Sacred Heart Bay to reconnect and thank members of his medical team.
“It was like coming full circle for Max to go back and see the doctors and nurses who provided his care”, said Chad. “People don’t often have the chance to go back and visit the ICU, and it was good for the staff to see him and see that he has a future because of their care.”
“It was great to see my care team again and be able to thank them for what they did for me,” said Max.
It’s been almost two years since the accident in July 2023. Max was transported by ambulance to the Level II Trauma Center where he was intubated and had surgery on a broken wrist shortly after he arrived.
While initial scans showed no brain bleeds, the pressure in Max’s skull continued to increase and a tube was inserted to drain fluid and relieve pressure.
Being from the Atlanta, Georgia area, the Krohns had no knowledge of medical care at Sacred Heart Bay. They even discussed moving Max closer to home. Those thoughts went away quickly due to the quality care they were receiving, the family said there were so many signs that they were in the right place. Blerina Begolli, MD, a trauma surgeon, was there when they arrived and oversaw Max’s care during his stay in the ICU.
“Dr. Begolli answered our questions and spent a lot of time with us,” said Kara. “We felt like the whole staff was taking care of one of their own, the relationship went beyond medical care and patient.”
The family also received support from First United Methodist Church Panama City due to a connection with their home church, Dunwoody United Methodist. Faith is one of the things that got them through this challenging time. Max’s freshman lacrosse helmet was adorned with the scripture Isaiah 40:31- his family and friends clung to the hope of the verse during his uncertain times in the ICU.
“Isaiah 40:31 is my favorite bible verse,” Max said. “After the accident my Mom also read Isaiah 40:30 and was stunned to see that it was as if the scripture was written for me.”
Isaiah 40
30“Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Kara says a conversation with a Sacred Heart Bay Chaplain was a powerful moment that changed her mindset from, ‘Why did God let this happen?’ to thanking God for saving her son. The chaplain encouraged Kara to pray for exactly what she wanted to happen for Max. After eight days, with many prayers from many people, Max was extubated. Once awake Max communicated with his parents using a whiteboard and wrote the words, "I’m ok". Those were powerful words to see after so much uncertainty. Now, as a symbol of hope and healing, the family has matching tattoos with that phrase alongside Isaiah 40:30-31. Dr. Begolli told them Max’s strength, youth, and athletic ability gave his brain a great advantage for recovery.
“When we look back, we know Sacred Heart Bay is where we were meant to be,” Chad said.
After Max was awake he continued to be cared for by trauma surgeon, Dr. Rebecca Hysong. “We don’t think we would have gotten the level of personalized care our family received at a bigger hospital. We will be forever grateful for the staff at Sacred Heart,” said Kara.
“I remember before moving from the ICU to the 4th floor my mom jokingly asked the nurses if they could move my favorite recliner to my new room too” said Max. “The next day they brought it down to us.”
Max was transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a rehabilitation hospital that specializes in treating acquired brain injuries. He was there for 10 days, followed by four weeks of outpatient rehab at Shepherd Pathways. He returned to school in September after missing the first 5 weeks of his sophomore year and was able to catch up by the end of the semester, earning all As and Bs.
Due to his brain injury, Max had to sit out of sports for one full year. After working with Dr. Russell Gore at Shepherd’s Complex Concussion Clinic he was cleared and is now back on the field playing lacrosse. His parents say the crowd cheers a little louder when he scores and gasps a little if he is hit. It matches the rollercoaster of emotions that goes through their heads watching their miraculous son on the field.
“To get back to playing lacrosse was the best feeling ever,” Max said. “After my first game my parents told me they were proud of me and my friends were so excited.”
His parents say it’s a miracle he is able to play sports and they give the credit to God and Max’s care teams. “We are so incredibly proud of Max. The dedication he’s shown to push through challenges to keep his grades up and fight his way back onto the field is inspiring. His strength, determination, and faith to pursue what he wants in life continues to amaze us.”
Incredibly, Max shows no lasting effects typically associated with a traumatic brain injury and is enjoying his junior year of high school with the hopes of playing lacrosse in college.
