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Doug Thompson on the mend; Grandin Automotive remains open

On Dec. 24, doctors at Carilion Clinic gave Doug Thompson a big fat Christmas present.

More than six weeks earlier, on Nov. 9, the Floyd-based journalist and blogger had hit a black cow with his motorcycle on U.S. 221 at Pogue’s Mill Road. He suffered a badly broken leg and the accident almost ripped off half his face. He almost died on the pavement that night.

But on Christmas Eve, the doctors discharged Thompson from Carilion’s rehabilitation center to his home in Floyd County. Last week he sent me an email.

“I still have several weeks and/or months of recovery ahead, including learning to walk again on my still healing broken leg and completing the therapy to restore my memory and other brain functions from the crash.

“I’m damn lucky to be alive.”

He added: “I come home humbled by the experience and the many get well cards, email messages, posts on Facebook and comments posted to your columns and the writings of others.  With considerable rehab still pending, I cannot yet return to work on any of my projects, although I am writing some on [Blue Ridge] Muse and posting on Facebook.”

READ THE REST OF THIS COLUMN HERE.