BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – When The Cullman Tribune first spoke with the family of Chris Torrisi after he was involved in a car accident June 29, doctors were not very hopeful he would survive. Torrisi, 39, of Cullman, was in a deep coma in UAB Hospital’s neuro intensive care unit. The doctors prepared his mother Nancy Thomas for the worst and gave him less than half of 1% chance of survival.
Family members asked one doctor, “Why the half percent?” The doctor replied, “Because we are not God.”
Sunday, July 21 Mike Wallace, Torrisi’s great-uncle, speaking on behalf of the family, was happy to report, “All good news!! It’s just amazing what is happening.”
He said Torrisi is awake and responding to commands. He recognizes his family and friends and is able to communicate with them by blinking his eyes. He is breathing on his own and no longer depending on a ventilator. He can move his arms and legs and is showing no signs of paralysis.
Wallace said, “Every day we see improvement and we have seen firsthand the power of prayer and the power of God. Not only have we had our faith in God restored but our faith in humanity. Even the doctors can’t explain what is happening.”
Throughout Torrisi’s time at UAB, he has had a steady flow of visitors and his mother by his side. Torrisi’s co-workers from Logan’s Roadhouse have continued to support their friend and his mother in any way they can.
The community has rallied around the family with unceasing prayer and Wallace said, “That has made such a difference. We ask that people continue to pray. We still have a long road ahead of us.”
Prior to the car accident, Torrisi and his mother had a conversation that would be important sooner than they could have ever imagined.
Wallace explained, “Chris and Nancy had a friend who was involved in an accident a couple of weeks before his. She was in a coma and on life support. Her family was facing a difficult choice. Chris told Nancy that if he were ever on life support to please just give him a chance.”
Thomas kept her word to her son and when faced with the same decision, she gave Torrisi a chance. Her family supported Nancy 100%.
Doctors are hesitant to give the family a prognosis after seeing Torrisi defy the odds.
Said Wallace, “It’s a miracle. A miracle from God.”
Wallace also praised the expertise of the doctors and staff of UAB, saying, “UAB is a first-class hospital and they have been phenomenal.”
Torrisi is now in trauma intensive care unit at UAB. The doctors have begun talking about moving him to a private room.
Wallace said, “Every day we see improvement and we are just blown away.”
The car accident happened at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 69 June 29, 2019.
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