Hunting accident brings a companion and common bond to Methodist Hospital

Two Indiana men met through work and now share a bond of healing through similar accidents.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

It was a crisp October morning when Christian “Chris” McDonald decided to take advantage of a day off work and head to the woods. He was introduced to hunting in his 20s and grew to love the quiet mornings watching the sun come up.

On Columbus Day, he thought it would be a day like no other. A life-long resident of rural Owen County. McDonald, 40, lives in Ellettesville, Ind. with his wife, Suzy. They are the parents to two daughters and a son who has also taken a keen interest in hunting.

“There’s nothing like being outside before daylight. It’s so peaceful,” said McDonald, who hunts turkey, squirrel, rabbit, and deer. It was on a day he was looking out for deer when he started climbing his tree stand on a private 400-acre Owen County property.

He had on a safety harness but no lifeline. His plan was to hook the harness to the tree stand. As he reached the top step, he leaned over to grab a branch, intending to swing his leg onto the platform. The limb broke, causing McDonald to fall 29 feet to the ground. He landed on his backside and knew immediately he was injured.

“I wasn't sure how bad but I knew I was hurt. The first thing I did was move my feet and then tried to come up with a game plan of what was next,” said McDonald, who works in warehousing at Crane Naval Base. In the darkness, he was unable to locate his phone. When he found it, his cell service was spotty. As he laid praying that first responders would find him, he said two deer came up and stared over him from a patch of woods.

“I got the call from a local conservation officer who happens to be a friend of ours. He told me what happened and I went into panic mode. I knew he was coherent. I thought, ‘we can deal with broken bones; he’s going to be fine,” said Suzy McDonald, who has worked at IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians for three years.

An IU Health LifeLine helicopter initially transported McDonald to IU Health Bloomington. He was then transported to Methodist Hospital where he was treated for a broken tail bone, dislocated hip, broken vertebrae, a brain bleed, internal bleeding near his stomach, broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Doctors at Methodist Hospital performed surgery to implant a steel rod through both of his hips, and plates and screws in his tailbone.

Coincidentally, years ago, McDonald met Brian Calvert. On Oct. 8, 2013, Calvert, of Camby, Ind. was in a similar accident. He fell 18-feet from his deer stand and was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital where he was treated for a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken clavicle, bruised kidney, and a concussion.

Years after his accident, Calvert become the owner of a therapy dog, known as “Dixie, the praying dog.” She has traveled the globe with numerous Honor Flights dedicated to transporting United States military veterans to Washington, DC. to tour war memorials; has made numerous media appearances - locally and around the world - and has her own social media account with thousands of followers.

And during McDonald’s recovery at IU Health, Dixie gained a few more fans as Calvert brought her to Methodist Hospital for several visits. She greeted guests and clinicians as she made her way to McDonald’s room to provide emotional support.

“It’s going to be a long recovery,” said McDonald. “Dixie brings me so much joy and she’s quite a hoot when she starts howling.” He has started physical therapy, but won’t be able to bear weight on his right leg for at least three months. He will continue rehab closer to his Ellettesville home.

“My doctors, nurse - everyone - have provided excellent care,” said McDonald, who is eager to get back to the things he loves - spending time with family, playing drums, and hunting.

“I’ll tell you this, I will not go up in a tree stand without a lifeline and neither will our son.”