Granite High graduate overcomes obstacles

When Jimmy Green walked across the stage at his Granite High School graduation ceremony Thursday, his father cried, friends and family cheered and he stepped onto the platform knowing that he had accomplished something most said he could never do.

In the early fall of 2001 Jimmy was a healthy 16-year-old with a job, a car he had bought for himself and a dream of becoming a chef. At that time his family resided in McCall, Idaho.

Then in October Jimmy came down with what doctors believed to be appendicitis. At the hospital he was given anesthetic, and his body reacted violently, putting him into a coma for nearly two months. When he came out of it he had the mentality of a 2-year-old. He couldn't walk, talk or function beyond that.

"He was there, but he wasn't there. It was heartbreaking," said his mother, Dawn Green. "He was in a catatonic state."

Doctors told the Greens there was nothing more they could do for their son and that there was a good chance he would never recover.

However, the Greens learned of a treatment called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a controversial procedure that involves applying an electric shock to the brain to instigate convulsive seizures in attempts to treat various mental disorders. Utah is one of the few states that allow minors to undergo ECT procedures, and after LDS Hospital doctors examined him they felt that the treatment might work.

"Doctors up there (in Idaho) just said there was nothing more they could do, but the doctors down here looked at him and said, 'We really don't know what is wrong with him, but we will try to make him better,' " said Dawn.

It was a ray of hope for the Greens. They did have some fears about the treatments because Jimmy would have to be given anesthetic again. Nonetheless, they took the chance, and after only one treatment he was showing signs of recovery.

Ronald said the first and most exciting thing Jimmy was able to do was recognize family members.

"Four days before Christmas he looked up at me and said, 'Hi, Dad,' " said Ronald. "I started bawling like a baby. It was the best Christmas present anyone could ask for."

During his treatments, doctors advised the family to move to Salt Lake because Jimmy would have to be in and out of the hospital.

Ronald had to quit his job in Idaho and sell belongings to pay for the move.