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Dennis Taylor gets a hug from the apple of his eye, granddaughter Caroline Embleau.

On Friday, June 19th, family and friends celebrated the recovery of Dennis Taylor at Carrington Place in Daleville. Thankfully, it was a happy ending to a story after he suffered severe injuries last summer. Taylor was employed by the Red Cross as a driver and delivered blood and blood products to hospitals. In August of 2008, he was involved in a single vehicle crash on the job while driving through Botetourt near Gala north of Eagle Rock. He lost control, over corrected and flipped the vehicle according to Red Cross representatives and recalls little of what happened.

Botetourt EMS responded and  found that Taylor was severely injured. He was taken to Carilion's trauma center and spent weeks in the hospital. "After completing his acute stay, Mr. Taylor still required rehabilitation and the family chose Carrington Place. Mr. Taylor has been at Carrington for nearly a year and is about to return home," said Lucas Snipes administrator for the long term care facility.

Joyce Taylor, his wife said, " No words to explain this-- I am so happy for him and relieved." The Taylors live in Apple Tree Village along Read Mountain in the Cloverdale area. His daughter Mary and granddaughter Caroline Embleau traveled from Georgia and were there to greet him as well. Due to complications from the accident, Taylor lost his leg in February. He has worked hard and thanked one of his therapists especially,  Evelyn Hazelhoff.

Taylor thanked the gallery of folks who came to wish him well. "Needless to say this is very special. I want to thank each and every one of you who came to see me and have come here today." As for Carrington Place he said, "I'll be back to visit."