'For her to still be living is a miracle'

An X-ray image shows the antenna that amazingly caused only minor injuries to 2-year-old Rachel Patterson in an all-terrain vehicle accident. A little more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus amazed hundreds of friends and family at a marriage feast by turning water into wine. It would be the first of many miracles He performed, standing beside other feats like walking on water and raising a person from the dead.

Christ's supernatural acts are well known to Blacksburg resident Tim Patterson, however, following years of constant attendance in church.

"Much of my life has been spent in church, and I've learned about miracles," Patterson said. "You hear all about (miracles), but you never come to appreciate them until they happen close to home."

More than two weeks ago, Patterson wondered what the future would hold after his 2-year-old daughter Rachel was injured in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident. While riding aboard the 4-wheeler with her aunt, the vehicle flipped on the two of them, lodging a radio antenna into the child's neck.

According to Patterson, many believe such unexplained phenomena were reserved for biblical times. However, the local man disagrees.

"All someone has to do is look at my daughter," Patterson said, "That's a miracle."

The antenna went through her chest into her esophagus — an estimated 22 centimeters into Rachel's body.

"When I went to the creek, I saw my sister holding my daughter," Patterson said. "All I could do is wonder what was going to happen, and see how quickly we could get help."

The young child was first taken to Upstate Carolina Medical Center before being transferred to a Greenville area hospital. Rachel spent the next three hours in surgery as doctors removed the antenna and repaired her esophagus.

No other injuries were found according to the doctor who performed the surgery, Dr. Jeff Chandler of the Greenville Hospital System.

"We couldn't believe there were not any other injuries," Chandler said. "She had the surgery and within a few days was out of the hospital. Without a doubt, for her to still be living is a miracle."

While some would call it luck, Patterson said the reason his daughter is living is due to the power of prayer.

"We had preachers and saints from all over praying over this child," Patterson said. "It took days of prayer to come through this."

Rachel is expected to make a full recovery.