By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
ROCKWELL ó A Rockwell teen who was in critical condition after being hit by a car in December is coming home today.
Clinton Zimmerman’s recovery has been little short of remarkable, said his mother, Julie Zimmerman.
“His doctor told us, ‘I can’t believe where he’s at today,’ ” Julie said. “His recovery has amazed everyone.”
Clinton, 18, a senior at East Rowan High, was struck by a car the night of Dec. 10. According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, about 6:15 that night, Clinton was walking in the rain when he was struck by a car driven by Judy Huffman Lefler of Rockwell.
Troopers said Zimmerman was wearing dark clothes and walking in the car’s lane of travel. They emphasized pedestrians should always walk facing traffic and should stay out of the roadway.
Zimmerman has remained at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte since the accident. He was in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit for weeks.
Julie said her son remembers almost nothing about the night of the accident. She said he has on occasion told people he was walking to see his grandmother, who has been dead for three years.
At other times, he’s told people he was hit by a motorcycle.
“It’s a process and it’s going to be a process,” Julie said of her son’s recovery.
She said doctors told her Clinton’s recovery will take about two years. “Anything he hasn’t gotten back in two years, he’s not going to get back,” Julie said.
She said her son’s left leg remains in a cast because of bones in his ankle that were broken. Julie said Clinton is walking about 300 feet a day with the aid of a walker.
She said her son is talking in complete sentences and has even given each of his nurses at Carolinas Medical Center a pet name.
Julie said Clinton will need around-the-clock attention for the time being. She said he’ll be home-schooled and will travel to the outpatient clinic at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast for therapy.
A group of young people from Faith Baptist Church, where the Zimmermans are members, plan to be at the family’s home on Main Street today to welcome Clinton back.
Julie said anyone who wishes to contact Clinton can do so at the caringbridge.org Web site. Once at the site, access Clinton’s account by typing: “clintonzimmerman” all in lower-case letters.
Internet users can get updates on Clinton’s condition, as well as leave e-mail for him.