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One Monticello Life: Doug Knight

April 20th, 2008 by

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Doug Knight was born in Springhill, LA, but his family moved to Drew County when he was 2 years old.  Doug grew up in the Plantersville area, and graduated from Drew Central High School.

Doug continued his education by taking industrial electricity classes at Pines vo-tech in Pine Bluff.

Doug spent 7 years working on off-shore oil drilling rigs, including locations such as Hamburg, Germany; West Africa; Brazil; Norwich, England; and the California coast.

Doug worked as an electrician for the Price Companies from 1990-1994, while serving as a founding officer of the auxiliary Drew County deputy program. In 1994, he became a full time deputy.  He is responsible for starting the original Drew County Drug Dog fund in July of 1996, and was there when the dog was purchased in October of the same year.

On November 20, 1996, Doug was working the evening shift for the sheriff’s dept. on a foggy, rainy night. Around 11 p.m., Sonny Bunch, the dispatcher received a 911 call from a cabin at a fishing camp in the Lake Wallace area.

The 911 system had only been in operation for a couple of months at that time, and many “false calls” were coming in, while the system was being “fine-tuned”.  They were able to determined who owned the camp, contacted him, and confirmed that someone was staying there at the time.

As Doug’s patrol car was nearing the Paradise Road intersection on HWY 35 East (near the old fire tower), reports show that his car hit something in the road, which bent his tire’s rim, causing it to lock, and throwing the patrol car into the deep ditch, until it hit the embankment of Paradise Road.  The vehicle came to rest on it’s side, against the first electric pole across the road.

When they found Doug, he was leaning against the trunk of his car , but no one was able to explain how he got there. Doug just says, “the Lord had his hand on me that day.”

He was transported to Drew Memorial Hospital by ambulance.  The weather had Med-evac’s helicopter grounded because of fog.

When Doug arrived at UAMS, he underwent 10-11 hours of surgery due to spinal cord swelling. There were 4 vertebraes that were either broken, fractured, or shattered.  He spent 16 days in the hospital, and then 3 months in the Baptist Physical Rehab Unit, followed by 2 years of physical rehabilitation at home.

Although he has had a lot of trouble over the past couple years, Doug has, and should again be able to enjoy an “almost normal” life, by use of an electric wheelchair and a handicapped access van, which he is able to drive.

Doug was appointed to the Arkansas Rehabilitation Council by Gov. Mike Huckabee, and served 5 years in that position.

“I’m very fortunate, and very blessed to be able to do what I can do.  I remember being in the hospital, and only being able to nod my head a little.”

Across his bed, Isee a “table”, Doug sees a “command center”, complete with his laptop, phone, meds, water cup, remote controls for TV-DVD-Etc., razor, pens, light switch, electronic door release, and intercom.

Although if you get his answering machine which often tells callers that he’s running a marathon in Little Rock, he’s usually at home, for now,

Doug’s favorites include:

Phrase-It could be worse.

Restaurant-“I like them all.”

TV show-Law & Order, NCIS, moto-cross racing, and Professional Bull Riding.

Movie-Clint Eastwood’s In The Line Of Duty.

Actor-Tommie Lee Jones and the 3 Stooges.

Music-country and gospel bluegrass.

Song or Hymn-Amazing Grace and Why Me, Lord.

Author-Louis Lamour

Book-the Bible.

Scripture-I Corinthians 10:13.

Doug told me, “I’m here because of the grace of God, and the support of my family. The people who surround me make me strong, it’s not me by myself.”

Doug Knight, thank you for your service to Drew County, the example you set for the rest of us, and for sharing your One Monticello Life.

8 Responses to “One Monticello Life: Doug Knight”

  1. kim (Fenton) Welch says:

    you are an inspiration to us all!!!

  2. Judy Thompson says:

    I don’t know you but I was born in Springhill, La. too. My family moved to Hampton, Ar. when I was in the 6th grade, then moved to Banks. Now I live in Wilmar. Congratulations to you…..

  3. erica thomas says:

    you are a inspiration

  4. andrea thomas says:

    You are an inspiration,and we all love you at Drew Memorial Home Health

  5. Debra Pharr says:

    Doug, you will never know what it meant to us when my brother, Bryant was critically ill in Baptist Hospital. You called EVERY day to check on him and you always had an uplifting word to say. You raised money for his family from your bed! You are TRULY a blessing to all those around you and all those you touch through your computer and telephone. I pray if I were in your condition, I would have the same outlook and attitude you do. You sure take the “dis” out of “disabled”. May God richly bless you for all that you do!!!

  6. Michelle Hoover says:

    Uncle Doug, Just want you to know how proud we are to call you “Uncle!” May God continue to bless you as you inspire all those around you! We love you!

  7. Kim Ray says:

    May God continue to bless you!

  8. Angela Purifoy says:

    Doug,

    I am so glad they did a story about you, if anyone really deserves it you sure do. I met you along time ago when you and I both worked on Judge French’s campaign. Also I spoke with you about the pet show you were involved with, at the fair. You are a true inspiration to all, and you help alot of people. You are a very involved parent with your children, and I know they are all so proud of you. It’s people like you that can truly make a difference, you have determination, and you don’t let anything stand in your way. You make friends wherever you go, and you are such a real inspioration to all. May God bless you in all that you do… Angela Purifoy

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