“The smile on Justin’s face says it all."

He was a very caring person, someone you could tell your thoughts and troubles to and he would listen. And, of course, Justin had his joking side also. Justin Hockenbury was a very caring person.

Justin graduated in 1999 from Attica High School and started working at a factory shortly after graduation. He bought a new mobile home and a new car within a year. He turned 21 in June of 2001 and his whole life was ahead of him. He was an avid Indianapolis Colts and Nascar fan. His favorite Nascar driver was Rusty Wallace. Also, anybody that knew Justin knew his obsession with hats and his hats had to match his outfit.

On September 22, 2001, it all changed very quickly. Justin was in a serious car accident and severed his spinal cord. Justin was in ICU at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, for five weeks. He then transferred to Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis for four weeks. Justin had good days and bad days, and fought some tough infections. But he got stronger and stronger.

Then in December of 2001, he was transferred to RHI. He made friends very easily so he knew almost anyone at RHI including a lot of patients. Justin could always put a smile on your face. He delivered menus to patient rooms for a while. He looked forward to that and the patients looked forward to Justin also.

Justin truly loved RHI and the staff. It was his home and family for three months. He learned about himself as a young paralyzed man at RHI - how to live and cope with his disability. The big day came on February 28, 2002 and I brought Justin home. A lot of tears were shared that day with Justin and the staff. Justin and I thought the world of RHI and the staff.

My son passed away on January 8, 2003, from a massive stroke. I will never be able to thank RHI enough for what they did for my son, Justin, and myself.”

Sincerely,

Donna Holt
Justin’s Mom

Justin Hockenbury is one of RHI’s 2002 Patients of the Year