Trista Cheeks
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
More than two months ago, Trista Cheeks and her fiancé Logan Gordy, were involved in a devastating wreck in Upson County, Ga. As soon as the wreck occurred on Saturday, July 15, Clay County residents rallied with prayers and positive thoughts for the couple.
Cheeks is from Clay County, so she and Gordy have continued to be on the hearts and minds of local residents. Therefore, we are providing an update on Cheeks’ progress, thanks to information shared by her mother, Shanda Cheeks.
Cheeks and Gordy are Upson County firefighters who were critically injured when their fire truck overturned during a routine call. Initially, they were airlifted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Tristas parents, Tim and Shanda Cheeks, rushed to Atlanta from Clay County. Shanda said that weekend, “We will take all of the prayers we can get for Logan and Trista.”
On July 28, Trista was transferred to Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, which specializes in brain injury rehabilitation. Gordy arrived the next day. Both have spent countless hours receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, along with other treatments. They have both battled infections, loss of appetite, swelling in their brains and other complications.
Both have undergone additional surgeries, which required being transferred temporarily to Piedmont Hospital. Trista has had reconstructive surgery on her knee, which included a skin graft from her thigh. Her own skull flap was replaced through cranioplasty a few weeks ago. The surgeries and her body’s response have sometimes caused seizures, dizziness, headaches and extreme nausea.
Shanda has been with her around the clock since the accident. Trista’s father, sister, brother and other family members have also spent lots of time with her. Other friends and family have stopped by to visit. Shanda post daily updates on her Facebook page so others may follow the couple’s healing journey.
She shares information about the good days and the bad days. One day, Trista wanted Chick-fil-A and a Reese’s cup. “So she got it,” her mom’s post said. Unfortunately, she was not able to eat much of it and often has very little appetite. Trista did not flinch when the neurosurgeon pulled two JP drains from her head, even though he said it would hurt. On September 9, the Facebook post read, “She had her skull put back in and asked for Tylenol. She has to be the toughest human alive.”
Despite being in the same hospital, Trista and Logan have not seen each other since the accident. Shanda said the medical team and the families feel the couple needs to each focus on themselves until their recovery has progressed more. Two weeks ago, the medical team had mentioned Trista may have another 10 to 12 weeks at Shepherd, followed by outpatient therapy after release. “It will all depend on the speed of recovery following more surgery,” Shanda explained.
Not only is Trista from Clay County, the couple’s story touched a lot of hearts because they had an engagement photos with photographer Cindy Thompson the same day of the accident. In some of the photos, Cheeks is holding a sign which reads, “84 days until we become Mr. and Mrs.” They were also seen reading the Bible together in photos announcing their October wedding.
There are numerous fund-raising efforts happening around Clay County, as well as in the Upson County area. Medical bills will be extensive and there will be lost income for the couple, along with their respective parents who have been staying nearby. Tristas aunt, Lynae Cheeks, said the community is welcome to leave donations for Trista and the family at her Hayesville clinic, Hometown Health. She will make sure the family receives them.
Events planned are:
• A fund-raiser barbecue to benefit the couple will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at First Free Will Baptist Church, 259 Tusquittee Street in Hayesville. Sponsored by Spider Web Ministries and Full Throttle Ministries, barbecue sandwich meals will sell for $10 with all proceeds going towards medical expenses.
• A car show to benefit Tristas’ medical bills is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at Catalyst Church, 1762 US-64, in Hayesville. There will be a 50/50 raffle and food for sale. Contact Pam Hyatt at (706) 835-5010.
• Bracelets are being sold for $2 with all proceeds benefiting the families of Logan and Trista. The Clay County Health Department has information or contact Sonya McCulloch on Facebook.
• Kotakolors Screen Printing is printing T-shirts and selling them to benefit the couple. Email: nikkiespoon@gmail.com.
Shanda thanked the community. “We are unbelievably grateful that Trista is alive and making great strides towards recovery,” she said. “We could never thank our community enough for all that everyone has done. The calls, messages, cards, food, money, encouraging words and mostly prayers. We love each and every one of y’all. Continue to pray for a full recovery for Logan and Trista.”
Cards and other greetings may be sent to Trista Cheeks or Logan Gordy at Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-1465.