Student on road to recovery thanks to Richland

On Sept. 28 last year, 62-year-old international student Jian Liu was severely injured in an automobile accident. Liu said that her husband was driving her to the Richland campus. The car was totaled, and she was taken by the Garland Fire Department EMS to the emergency room at the Methodist Richardson Medical Center.

“All the doctors who I tried to see,” at MRMC “they all refused to see me. The reason is they do not take car accident patient(s)! I am suffering physical pain and mental pain. Most time I had to lay on the bed. I can’t sleep, [I have] nightmares, [I’m] scared, and I walk [with] a cane.”

Liu said that MRMC referred her to the office of Dr. Randall Graham of the Methodist Dallas Medical Center, after taking her X-ray as they did not have a neurologist.  “I contacted his office, 29th of September but his office told me that they don’t take car accident patient,” even though she was referred to him from the MRMC ER.

Graham, who has a five-star rating according to healthgrades.com, threebestrated.com, and Yelp, could not be reached for comment.

On Oct. 7, approximately 10 days after the accident, Liu was unable to find medical assistance. In desperation, she reached out to the Dallas Morning News.  A spokesperson said that they couldn’t help her find a doctor for those in a car accident.

“I thought that doctors [who] don’t take car accident victims was a big news [story.] But it [isn’t.] The answer is normal things here. I was shocked. The only way is to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the car accident happened.” Currently, her lawyer is still handling her case with the insurance. “This is a big lesson for me.

“I cried for help, but no one answers!” Liu said.  Since leaving the ER, her blood pressure has been at 180 and 100.  She had no pills to treat it. “I got high blood pressure and memory damage, many mental problems. I feel hopeless, and many times I want to end my life and the pain!”

According to Liu, her success coach at Richland, Juliet Wiley, referred her to the student care coordinator Stephanie Harris.  And she talked with a claims adjuster and referred to counselor Karen Cutthill, who is currently helping her recover from the traumatic event. “I feel so grateful and appreciate Juliet and our school,” Liu said, “Karen, she gives me big help.”

Liu, a Chinese native, is aspiring to study psychology. However, for the past three years, she has been taking ESL, ESOL and creative writing classes. And like most international students, Liu is required to take English courses before being eligible for the classes that she desires most to start her career.

Liu said she no longer needs to walk with a cane and has recovered 80% of her memory. She says she no longer has recurring nightmares.

Her neurologist, Dr. Yu Zhao, was referred by a Dallas College alumna Jessica Wang 25 days (about 3 and a half weeks) after the accident. According to Zhao, “when I saw her the second time,” on Dec. 09, 2022, “She was better than the first time” thanks to the medication that she prescribed.

“I am lucky that I am a student [at] Dallas College. I got a big support from our school when I need[ed] help,” Liu said. “So far, I don’t need to do surgery. But I do physical therapy and counseling every week.”

Richland President Dr.  Kathryn Eggleston commented via email, “At this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the dedication of our professional staff and faculty who support and care for our students in times of personal challenge and hardship.”

Liu sent a letter addressed to Dr. Eggleston last Thanksgiving: “Today, I want to thank our school and my success coach Juliet Wiley, Stephanie Harris student care coordinator, counselor Karen Cuttill and Johnathan Moss, etc. They used different ways to help me to get over the car accident. I am so grateful and touched for what they had done for me.” Adding, “I really appreciate your leading, and thank [you] Wiley, Juliet, Stephanie Harris student care coordinator, counselor Karen, and Johnathan Moss, etc. Thanks again for helping me.”