ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - On Nov. 12, 2025, Jeremy Rankin’s life changed in an instant.
The Rockingham husband and father of four was seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash that left him trapped inside his truck for nearly an hour. He suffered multiple broken bones and fractures in both legs, severe injuries to his right hand and a pulmonary embolism.
Despite the pain and uncertainty, Rankin never lost consciousness, or his faith.
As he was pinned in his vehicle, a stranger climbed into the back seat of his truck. The Good Samaritan listened as Rankin prayed, talked with him, encouraged him and handed Rankin his phone so he could call the person he was thinking about most; his wife, Ashley.
Two days past her due date with their fourth child, Ashley was preparing to welcome their baby while her husband fought for his life.
A Life-Changing Crash and a New Beginning
Emergency responders airlifted Rankin to a trauma center, where he underwent the first of four surgeries to repair his injuries. His wife and family made the drive to the same hospital to be with him. Following his initial surgery, Rankin was waking from anesthesia when his aunt held up a cellphone. On the screen was Ashley, from a delivery room after giving birth to their son, Jameson.
“I felt so sick and groggy,” Rankin recalled. “But I remember smiling in that moment.”
A couple days later, hospital staff brought newborn Jameson to Rankin’s room so father and son could meet for the first time. One month after the accident, Rankin was discharged and returned home in a wheelchair.
That’s when the next chapter of his recovery, one that would restore far more than strength, began.
Setting Goals for Recovery at FirstHealth
Just days after returning home, Rankin arrived at FirstHealth Outpatient Rehabilitation in Rockingham and met physical therapist Joseph Griffith, DPT. Rather than focusing only on injuries and limitations, Griffith started with a simple question: What are your goals?
For Rankin, the answer was easy. “I want to be able to be there for my kids.”
With children ages 16, 15, 3 and a newborn, the everyday moments mattered most. Before the accident, Rankin loved playing basketball and soccer with his older children and staying active with his family. Now, even getting onto the floor seemed impossible.
“Joseph was confident he could help me recover,” Rankin said. “But he also knew it was going to be a long road. He encouraged me to set small goals, take it one step at a time. When we’d meet one goal, we’d set another and keep working.”
That became the foundation of his recovery.
Physical and Occupational Therapy Support His Recovery
“The first time I worked with physical therapist assistant Walt Wood, I knew I was going to like him,” Rankin said. “Walt enjoys his job, and he always pushes me to do what I can and reach my goals. The entire team has been great, they have great senses of humor, are excellent with people, and I will always feel a connection with them long after I’m finished with therapy.”
Rankin also began working with occupational therapist Belinda Stanley, OTR/L, helping him regain strength, function and confidence in his injured hand.
“Occupational therapy is very hands-on,” Rankin said. “You spend a lot of time working closely together. Belinda became someone I trusted completely. She always encouraged me and celebrated every bit of progress.”
Small Milestones Make a Big Difference
Nearly seven months later, Rankin still attends physical and occupational therapy twice a week, and his progress has been remarkable. He returned to light-duty work in May. He now walks mostly without assistance, and his surgeons are pleased with how far he’s come.
But Rankin measures his success a little differently.
One of his earlier goals was simply getting down on the floor to play with his children and being able to get back up.
Physical therapist assistant Ashley Speight, PTA, helped him make that happen.
“Ashley showed me the safest and easiest way to get down on the floor and back up,” Rankin said. “He listened to what was important to me and helped me accomplish it.”
Recovery Takes Teamwork
To Rankin, those moments reflect what makes the team at FirstHealth Outpatient Rehabilitation special.
“They foster such a family atmosphere at FirstHealth, and they make me feel like I’m part of that family,” he said. “It is a true partnership. They listen to my concerns and goals, and we work together to make a plan to reach those goals.”
According to Stanley, that partnership was key to Jeremy’s success.
“From day one, Jeremy was incredibly invested in his recovery,” Stanley said. “That level of motivation makes a tremendous difference. Our role is to help patients regain function and improve their quality of life, but recovery is a partnership. Watching Jeremy reach milestone after milestone has been incredibly rewarding.”
Today, Rankin and his rehabilitation team continue working toward new milestones. His next goal? Jumping and running, so he can play basketball and soccer with his children again.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but Rankin says it has changed him in ways he never expected.
“While I wish my family never had to go through this, I also feel blessed by it,” he said. “It’s been a long and difficult journey, but I think it’s made me a better person. I appreciate every day God has blessed me with. I understand how fragile life is, and I appreciate everything in my life so much more.”
Gratitude for Family, Community and Care Team
He also carries a deeper appreciation for the health care professionals who helped him along the way.
“I have so much respect for the people who cared for me and the important work they do every day,” he said.
That same gratitude extends beyond the walls of the hospital and rehabilitation clinic.
Rankin credits his recovery to the unwavering support of family, friends and his church community, who filled their home with meals, visits and encouragement. He speaks with special appreciation for his mother, his brother and Ashley, who stood beside him through every step of recovery while caring for a newborn.
Looking back, Rankin knows the experience was difficult for his entire family, especially his children. His hope is that they take away the same lessons he has.
To appreciate each day. To extend grace to others. And to never underestimate what can happen when faith, determination and compassionate care come together.
