Oklahoma City victim Patty Hall left with daily reminders of explosion
By Patricia L. Pastore
Tribune-Star
Splinters of glass work out of her flesh. She fears tall buildings. She can't stand to be enclosed in small spaces. Aches and pains tear through her body every day.
Yet life is precious to Oklahoma City bombing survivor Patty Hall.
"Whatever I lost I've gained back triple through my spiritual walk with Jesus," Hall said. "I'm so grateful to greet each day."
Hall was on the third floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building when, Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb outside the building on April, 19, 1995, killing 168 people.
"I only remember that I had a can of air freshener in my hand to spray the hallway. When I put my finger on the nozzle of the spray, the bomb exploded," Hall said. The instant of the blast, she actually thought the can had exploded, she said.
As the building collapsed from the power of the homemade bomb, Hall fell two stories and wound up trapped beneath tons of rubble.
Black smoke and small particles of debris continued to rain down on her after the blast. The polluted air she breathed damaged her lungs. She was encircled by the dead and dying.
Hall said she could hear rescuers nearby, but she could not scream out for help because of her injuries. She does not remember how long she was trapped before she finally was freed.
The unexpected act of terrorism six years ago shocked the nation and stunned Oklahoma City residents. News of the incident was broadcast over radio and television within minutes after the bomb exploded.
Hall's mother, Leota Perkins and her friend of 40 years, Mary Johnson, waited together for news of survivors.
"I headed for Patty's mother's house when I heard what happened," Johnson said. "I know where her (Patty's) office was and didn't see how she could survive it."
About three hours after the explosion, Perkins received a phone call from a local hospital. "They told us Patty was alive," Johnson said. "We just got up and went there."
Hall suffered 40 broken or crushed bones, from her ankles to her legs, pelvis and ribs. She had a punctured lung and dozens of cuts from flying glass.
Five days after the bombing Hall's relatives and minister gathered at her bedside. Hall's lungs were failing and doctors thought she might die.
"We prayed at her bedside until about midnight," Johnson said. "She made it through the night. There were other rough times. I think the hand of God was involved in this."
Because Hall was in pain that she could not endure, her doctors put her into a medically induced coma for a month so her body would have a chance to heal.
Gradually her 40 broken bones began to mend, the punctured lung healed. Two months after Hall was admitted to the hospital, she was released. Her rehabilitation lasted for years.
"They had a machine move my legs," Hall said . "I had to re-learn how to walk."
Still suffering from breathing problems and in constant pain from arthritis brought on by her injuries, Hall is now permanently disabled and has not been able to return to her job.
Hall switched gears after she was able to walk again. She began helping others in need. When saying her prayers she asked God, "Where do I belong?" Hall said.
"Two years ago I started doing volunteer work for the Salvation Army. I'm also a member of the women's Christian luncheon group," she said. "I work for God. I'm not seasoned but I spoke recently to a church group.
"Soon I plan to volunteer at the National Memorial Museum," which was established in remembrance of the bombing victims, Hall said. "I've had two years of physical therapy along with emotional and mental therapy. My life is spiritually more rewarding that it ever was before."
Johnson said she admires the tremendous strength her friend has exhibited while dealing with more than five years of pain and suffering.
"Patty is one of the strongest people I know. To come through this and have your sanity is amazing," she said. "Patty has worked to make good come out of something horrible."
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