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By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Monday, Jan 12, 2009
Just days away from the fourth anniversary of the terrifying industrial accident that robbed him of so much, Akron's Andy Holcomb remains incredibly hopeful and steadfast in his faith.
Thy Will Be Done is still his daily prayer.
Few among us have had rougher crossings than he has. Yet, moving forward remains uppermost on Andy Holcomb's mind.
Throughout his journey, the 23-year-old's life has been veiled with what many might look upon as one setback after another.
But we're talking about Andy Holcomb here. A young man who has learned to be patient in all things and to just trust in the Lord.
''Jesus is what's been getting me through it all,'' said Andy, who is more homebound these days than he would like to be.
''But my faith is insatiable! It may sound silly but I read the Bible every night,'' Andy volunteered.
''No matter what happens, I know that good will come of it.
''Even though I've been through the hardest time of my life, some of the best things have happened to me too,'' Andy said. ''There's nothing yet — with His help — that I haven't been able to get through . . .''
On this day Andy was snug in the bed in the room the Northeastern Ohio Subcontractors Association built for him with community donations. He was surrounded by his devoted family: his mother, Sheila Holcomb, newlywed older brother Gary Jr. and his wife, Marsha, and rescue dog Clarabelle. Middle brother Clifford — who is completing his final semester at the University of Akron — and his wife, Katie, were not present.
Andy, a graduate of Akron's North High School, where he was the mascot, Eric the Viking, for three years, was himself a student at UA when the accident happened. Andy and his older brother were working an extra job at NeoShred when Andy's body became entangled, nearly costing his life and claiming half of his body — everything below the belly button.
No one among the first responders thought he would make it — not the 14 firefighters/emergency medical technicians who orchestrated a plan to extricate him from the machine, nor the doctors and nurses at Akron General Medical Center who worked so hard to put him back together.
That's because what happened to Andy Holcomb far exceeds the boundaries of anyone's imagination.
But Andy is the first to tell you he had faith on his side.
Sadly, one of those first responders — Jerome Crawford, an Akron fire lieutenant and part-time firefighter in Tallmadge — died Sept. 4 following a four-month battle with pancreatic cancer. ''Out of respect for all that he did for me,'' Andy spoke at his funeral.
But 2008 held a bevy of bright spots, too.
That was the year Andy got his first true taste of freedom. With the help of a specially designed and donated dry suit from USIA Inc., an underwater equipment sales corporation in St. Helens, Ore., Andy was able to go swimming at the Natatorium in Cuyahoga Falls.
Afterward, there was a problem with the suit, currently being addressed by the manufacturer, that has kept him out of the water. ''But I'm looking forward to getting back soon,'' Andy said enthusiastically.
Andy has had to deal with monumental pain, real and phantom, since the accident but feels like he's been able to make great strides there, too.
Through his own research, he convinced his doctor to put him on arthritis medicine to try to curb the pain. ''I've seen a tremendous decrease in pain since then,'' he said.
''I still hurt. But it's not as frequent.''
The bulk of his medical problems these days has to do with ''skin issues,'' Andy said. The skin breaks down or gets abrasions from sitting too long in his wheelchair.
Sadly, the only panacea he has is just waiting it out until it heals.
''Looking back on the last four years I did think I would be further along than I am,'' Andy said. ''Like I thought I would be able to be in the wheelchair a lot more than I am.''
However, the occasional sores on the grafted skin run interference with that.
Still, Andy is optimistic.
Akron's Yanke Bionics continues to work — trial and error — on a prosthetic for him. ''That's very uplifting and it gives me hope,'' Andy was quick to say.
''At the earliest it could take another year for it to be functional. . . . They're doing all they can for me, trying to figure out the best type of mold that won't put too much pressure on certain areas. . . . It will be made to attach to me.''
Then life will be like a song once more.
Just like in October when Andy's older brother, Gary Holcomb Jr. — who was working alongside him when he had the accident — got married and tapped Andy to be his best man. ''Actually, I was like Best Dork,'' Andy quickly corrected.
''His humor is what keeps us all going,'' mother Sheila explained.
''It really was a great time,'' a more serious Andy said of the wedding and reception as he leafed through a couple of the wedding albums.
Andy, who continues to do public speaking as his health allows, enjoys hanging out with his family and best friend Joe Triola, at the movies and Applebee's at Chapel Hill ''where Big John is the best waiter around,'' Andy insists. Another regular with the party crew is Kara Shoff.
And when he's up to it, he attends Mass at Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church in Springfield Township.
On the day before Easter, Andy participated in the coin toss at a Canton Legends game. ''It was Faith Night,'' Andy remembered.
He was collecting toy monkeys, but is running out of space. So, he plans to donate many of them next Christmas to a local nursing home or somewhere else where they will be appreciated. ''I've been blessed. So why not bless someone else?'' he asked.
During this Christmas season, Andy was honored at the Holiday Tree Festival — sponsored by Akron Children's Hospital — with his own tree at the John S. Knight Center.
The ''Raggedy Andy'' tree, decorated by Sunny Roop of Hudson, sold for $2,000. ''I loved it,'' Andy said, putting his own quirky spin on it: ''I just never understood why it had to be so raggedy.''
Make no mistake about it, Andy's injuries have not insulated him from other problems.
Like so many others who lost money when the Carousel Dinner Theatre unceremoniously closed its doors, Andy Holcomb is out of big money.
He purchased season tickets, just days earlier, for his family of six to the tune of $1,314. Because he paid cash, he has little chance of getting his money back.
''I went out there on Jan. 2 to try to get our money back,'' Sheila Holcomb railed. ''The woman told me to come back on Monday. I did and the doors were locked.''
Asked how he felt about Carousel taking his money, Andy had this to say, ''It made my heart frown. Not just for me, but for everybody that this happened to.''
Asked what he was most looking forward to in the new year, Andy had quite the list:
''I want to drive.
''I want to be in the wheelchair — all day, every day.
''I want to travel. That would just be awesome. I'd like to go to Disney World and to Gettysburg . . .''
Until then, Andy Holcomb will be busy living on the lyrics of the gospel song Looking for a Miracle:
I'm looking for a miracle,
I expect the impossible,
I feel the intangible,
I see the invisible . . .
Sounds like an OK destination to me.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Just days away from the fourth anniversary of the terrifying industrial accident that robbed him of so much, Akron's Andy Holcomb remains incredibly hopeful and steadfast in his faith.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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barberton, oh
Posted 12:42 PM, 01/12/2009
This fine young man is all of that and then some. It breaks my heart knowing what happened 2 him. He's taking it like a MAN, and a good MAN he is. I certainly hope the he was well compensated by Workers Compensation. I've heard of some real horror stories about that branch of Government. Good Luck and God Bless U Andy.....
Posted 01:08 PM, 01/12/2009
Andy's story continues to inspire and amaze me. When many people would have given up and decided life wasn't worth living, Andy has used his incredible faith to make his life as full as possible. Like many others, I will be praying that all of your dreams will come true.
Thanks to Jewell for this update!
Posted 01:37 PM, 01/12/2009
He's an inspiration to us all!
Posted 02:37 PM, 01/12/2009
I was lucky enough to go to school w/ this nice gentlemen. Andy is a strong, wonderful person. He makes us realize we should all be thankful for the little things.
This Place, 32
Posted 04:18 PM, 01/12/2009
If in life, things come easy, we tend to not appreciate them. When life throws us a curve, we can either take a chance, or just watch it go by.
So many times I am sure this man could have just watched it all go by, but then, where is the fun in that.
Enjoy your life. It may not be all you wanted, but it is all you get.
Posted 05:36 PM, 01/12/2009
this incident was a tragedy! Kudos to the Akron Fire Department for the job they did. I pray this young man will continue to be strong!!
Posted 05:41 PM, 01/12/2009
Andy, you are such an inspiration to me. When I see your handsome face smiling it just lifts my faith and my spirit. To watch your faith In God grow as you have gone through this tragic accident and recovery is miraculous. May God continue to pour out His spirit upon you and your family and strengthen you on your earthly journey. You are in my prayers.
Posted 05:47 PM, 01/12/2009
I was wondering about this young man, glad to see a good update.
akron, oh
Posted 10:41 PM, 01/12/2009
This young man is an inspiration to all that hears his story. May God keep his arms wrapped tightly around you Andy.
Posted 12:35 AM, 01/13/2009
God bless you and your family Andy. Thanks for the update; hope to hear more good news soon.
Posted 07:38 AM, 01/13/2009
May God Bless You. Thank-you for continuing to inspire us all!!!
Posted 07:46 AM, 01/13/2009
The whole Carousel situation isn't fair!! How sad that Andy and many others from this area who have purchased season tickets from Carousel may possibly not get their money back. I'm sure the doors and phones line were open when people were buying their tickets. VERY SAD!!!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:40 AM, 01/13/2009
I know that times are tough but couldn't we try to muster up a replacement fund for Andy and his loved ones? How 'bout we try to raise at least $1,300, which Andy and his family then could use to go to the theater of their choosing, e.g. Weathervane, Actors' Summit, Playhouse Square, etc?
Akron, OH
Posted 10:40 AM, 01/13/2009
God Bless, Andy. Continue to Rejoice in each day the Lord gives.
And thanks, Jewell. Keep us posted on Andy's progress. He's an inspiration to our community.
Posted 11:36 AM, 01/13/2009
I too think this young man is an inspiration and his story is nothing short of a miracle. With that being said...Elizabeth, I know your heart is in the right place, but I believe other people lost their money just like Andy did only Andy's loss was publicized. What about the other people who lost the money to the Carousel's ticket scam? No one is going to have a fundraiser to get their money back? Any way that I say this, I am going to sound heartless, but I think that having fundraisers for the loss of season ticket money is just not right. Medical bills, surgery, clothes yes - but season tickets to a playhouse? A line needs to be drawn somewhere.
Posted 11:57 AM, 01/13/2009
I agree Jennifer, especially since is he had $1,314 to spend on tickets to a playhouse, he should be fine. Must not be hurting to bad if he can afford the luxury.
Posted 12:28 PM, 01/13/2009
Andy has continually been an inspiration to me. That very day, in the very same hospital, I was sitting in the waiting room of the maturnity ward waiting for my daughter to deliver my first grandchild, a little girl who was named Katherine Hope, because of the Hope we all held onto that God would perform a miracle on this precious child who was diagnosed with a birth defect 3 months earlier. It wasn't to be. As our world stopped, life went on around us, and we become aware of how many people are hurting. Andy's stories have been such an inspiration of God's Grace.
Copley, OH
Posted 01:04 PM, 01/13/2009
Overthetop: You are over the top and heartless. Can't this man have a little joy in his life for all that he has been through? Try living his live for one day and then wonder if he is rich and living in luxury
Posted 01:25 PM, 01/13/2009
Overthetop a bit mean aren't you ,I suppose you don't do anything that everybody else would call a luxury such as going to a bar,club,dancing,dinner.
Posted 05:21 AM, 01/14/2009
May God continue to bless you Andy and give you strength and encouragement. You encourage all of us. How petty our "inconveniences" are compared to yours. You have overcome so much and it is by the Grace of God that you have been able to do this. You are a big inspiration. Keep the faith!
