Cody Khan’s family holds on to ‘any little positive thing’

By Nathan Hardin

nhardin@salisburypost.com

When Cody Khan was born 13 weeks premature, he received a blue teddy bear. The same stuffed animal now sits beside him in a Wilmington hospital, where he has been in a coma since a hit-and-run accident left him in critical condition.

Khan’s mother, Charlotte, refers to it as the “prayer bear,” and said her family held on to the toy over the last 21 years because the family believes it spurred a miracle in Cody’s birth.

She hopes it can do it again.

Cody was struck by a vehicle on South College Street in Wilmington on July 2. Khan, a rising senior at UNC at Pembroke, was visiting friends over the Independence Day weekend. The driver of the vehicle did not stop. Police later arrested and charged Erica Kane, 27, on July 8 with felony hit and run. Kane was released after posting a $3,000 bond.

Cody’s injuries are severe.

“One side of his face was completely crushed,” she said. “He’s in a self-induced coma.”

Khan was scheduled for an MRI Tuesday and is expected to undergo a five- to six-hour surgery today.

Charlotte Khan said the East Rowan graduate will have surgery on his jaw, chin and eye socket.

Charlotte has not returned to Rowan County since receiving the late-night phone call on July 3.

She stays in the Hope House near the New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

“It took me nine days before I could leave him at night,” she said. “I won’t leave until he comes home.”

The housing is free and food is donated, but Charlotte gets to stay near her son, which is the only thing that matters to her.

According to Charlotte, Khan has faced even more obstacles since arriving in the intensive care unit.

He has pneumonia, she said. Doctors are giving him antibiotics to fight the infection, but it’s slowing their surgical schedule.

“We have good days and bad days,” she said.

He’s been put on a ventilator and feeding tube.

Though Cody’s responses have been minimal, she remains optimistic.

“We take it one day at a time,” she said. “It’s like he’s in a deep sleep.”

Charlotte has been moving Khan’s arms and legs to increase bloodflow after doctors explained that the body movements would help. As they move his legs, they tell him he’s walking around campus again at Pembroke.

She isn’t the only one remaining optimistic.

Lots of support

Cody has a constant stream of support, according to Charlotte, from friends, family and Phi Kappa Tau brothers, in which Khan is a member.

Several Salisbury residents are also raising support and awareness.

Fundraising jars at the Farm House restaurant on Jake Alexander Boulevard in Salisbury and Charlie’s Ice Cream and Groceries in Faith are gathering funds for the family.

Michelle Cauble, a family friend, is taking it a step further.

She organized a Walk-a-thon for Cody from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.

“We know his family’s going to need the help,” she said.

Cauble’s husband, Trevor, is Cody’s best friend.

“They grew up together,” she said. “I feel like we can raise a lot of money for them.”

The event will have food and donations will go the family’s medical bills.

A website dedicated to helping the Khans with medical bills has also been set up.

According to www.giveforward.com/codykhan, nearly $2,300 has been raised for the family.

Charlotte said she’s thankful for the prayers and support.

She said she’s holding on to “any little positive thing.”

“I get so excited,” Charlotte said. “It’s like winning the lottery.”

Last week, as she read to Cody in his glass ICU room with the blue bear on the nightstand, a tear rolled down his cheek.

“I just felt like he heard me.”