Samuel Mills is a Tompkins High School senior who loves football, OU (Oklahoma University), working out, hanging out with friends, outdoor activities, running, and loves his job at Chick-fil-A. Carrie and Rick Mills have sons, Joshua, who is in college along with twins Sam and Ryan who are seniors and daughters, Abbie and Hannah.
When Swoon heard about Sam’s horrific accident this past Christmas and his miraculous recovery, we wanted to share his story.
Tell us about Sam’s accident.
Carrie Mills: Sam lost control of his car coming home from his 10:30pm shift at Chick-fil-a. We are not sure how it happened, but his car flipped a couple times and Sam was ejected about 40 feet from the car. As the car landed upside down all the windows shattered. A couple found him by using their flashlight on their phone and heard someone fighting to breathe. Sam was lying in tall grass with a bunch of sticks and dirt as the Good Samaritans ran over and prayed over him, asking Sam to “stay with us” and reassuring him help was on the way. Sam was struggling to breathe. The paramedics came and Life Flight came to fly him to ER Memorial Hermann in Houston. He spent 10 days in ICU fighting for his life. Then he went to Acute care then onto TIRR rehab spending only one week there. Sam got to come home January 18th.
This is a parent’s worst nightmare getting this call. How did you find out about his accident?
Carrie Mills: Who wants that knock on the door from police that tells you that your child was in a horrific car accident and is being Life Flighted to the ER? I sure wasn’t prepared- mentally physically or emotionally. It was about 11:00 pm and I was about to check my son’s Life 360 to see if he was on his way home from work. Before I looked, I heard a knock on the door. There were two officers standing at the front door. They asked if I had a son. I said “Yes, I have three sons”. She asked me to say their names. I said, Josh? She said no, I said Ryan, she again said no, Samuel? She said yes, Samuel has been in bad accident and Life Flighted to the ER. As you can imagine, not a good sight there in my home. My two daughters were there. My husband had to catch me from falling and fainting. He had to carry me to couch as I was calling his brothers to meet us at hospital. I told them about their brother. They were out with friends. My husband had to gather the info from officers about where Sam was and throw me over his shoulders to get me into the car to go to the hospital. We had a 45-minute drive to the hospital. That I can remember. Thankfully, we made it there. He was in the ER but not moving and he had breathing tubes and an IV.
What were Sam’s injuries?
Carrie Mills: Sam suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) bleeding on his left side of the brain and swelling. He fractured the left side of his face and left side of body. Praise God that he had no broken bones, limbs, or scrapes or cuts anywhere! It’s a miracle – a true miracle.
How has the community rallied around to help?
Carrie Mills: Nothing above amazing! The day after the accident, the 27th, we suddenly had a GOFUNDME page, MealTrain, Facebook page for prayers already set up for Sam and our family. Sunday night Sam’s Chick-fil-A boss, Cynthia Calvin, had a vigil for Sam. It was so wonderful and comforting to see this. I had peace and hope for my son knowing how many people all over the city, state and even country were praying for Sam. We even received messages from Kenya and Canada. A friend of ours let us stay in their apartment while Sam was in the ICU. Only one parent was allowed to stay with Sam overnight. That was a huge blessing. During the day both of us could stay. I had so many friends reaching to help with our other four kids. It was beyond words. Power of Prayer through all of this. God had this army ready to help us and carry us through. Thank you seems like not enough. We are so grateful and beyond blessed. Even the homecoming was so amazing and unexpected. Seeing all the friends and community that prayed for our family.
What is Sam’s prognosis?
Carrie Mills: Sam suffered a major TBI. He will be doing TIRR Challenge outpatient therapy in about a week. We will be driving to Houston every day. Sam also has Hydrocephalus (blood in the ventricles). We will be doing physical, speech, occupational, and recreational therapy every day. We will also work on his vision, balance and strength. Speech will help with his cognitive learning.
Swoon was so thrilled with Sam’s progress. Was there anything he asked for when he got home?
Carrie Mills: Sam wanted Chick- fil-A (of course!) and Starbucks! He is looking forward to lying in his bed and seeing all his siblings and friends. We are forever grateful for all the nurses, doctors and medical team to help keep Sam alive. We are hoping to get Sam back on track for school to graduate in May. His dream school is OU and we are taking it day by day!
Swoon is so grateful for the Mills family to share their son’s story and testament. To learn more about Sam visit StandwithSam Facebook page.
