Good Hope family are grateful their son is alive but face an uphill battle in his recovery

Christian Cash, 23, returned to his family’s home on Aug. 27 following an anoxic brain injury in the hospital after being injured in a car crash the day before Mother’s Day 2025. Contributed photo

The family of Rananda Hammond, of Good Hope, Ga., had their world turned upside down the day before Mother’s Day 2025 when her son, Christian Cash, 23, went out to buy gifts for her and the mother of his then 10-month-old daughter. He was just five minutes from home when he was involved in a car crash.

Hammond got that call every parent dreads.

“I got a phone call from a young man who said, ‘Ma’am, your son Christian asked me to call you. He’s been in a car accident.'” Hammond said. “We still don’t know exactly what happened in the crash—just that it was bad.”

But there was some good news. She was told that her son was conscious and talking. However, he was trapped in the car. The family rushed to the scene and she got there to hear him calling for her.

“I ran to reassure him—he was awake, hurting, but responsive. They worked to cut him out. Through it all, he was talking, telling them where he hurt. His leg was clearly broken, and they rushed him to the hospital,” Hammond said. “The hospital did a CT of his head/brain while in the ER, and he was fine neurological wise. He was cognitive and speaking to us. He was active after his first surgery on Sunday and Monday.”

However, scans showed a broken femur and hip, and lacerations to his liver and spleen.

“Surgery couldn’t happen immediately; they needed to monitor for internal bleeding. He was admitted and placed in traction,” Hammond said. “On Sunday, they operated on his femur and planned to do the hip surgery on Wednesday.”

But by May 13, everything had changed. The call they got from the hospital was far worse than the one they first received telling them of the accident.

“We received the call no parent ever wants — he had coded and was unresponsive. Just hours earlier, we had been talking with him,” Hammond said. “He had been alert, communicating with us since his admission the day before Mother’s Day.”

He son had suffered a devastating anoxic brain injury (an ABI) while in the hospital.

“Since that day, Christian has been in the fight of his life — and he has fought every step with unbelievable strength and courage. He came off life support. He opened his eyes. He began to track us with them. Each of these moments has been a small miracle,” Hammond said. “Christian is not just our son — he is a father, a brother, a friend. He has a beautiful baby girl who adores him. He missed her first steps… her first birthday… because of this injury. Moments that should’ve been full of joy were instead spent in a hospital room. But we hold on to hope for many more moments to come.”

While finding out exactly what happened in the hospital is obviously something the family is going to have to deal with. They believe it was due to neglect. But in the meantime, negotiating how to care for their son when he returns home is their priority.

“After many weeks in the hospital, Christian was accepted into the amazing Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Thanks to their care, and Christian’s relentless spirit, he has made incredible progress. But there’s still a long road ahead,” Hammond said. “Right now, Christian is mostly non-verbal and unable to walk. His brain is still trying to heal and rewire — something that can take months, even years. We believe, without a doubt, that this healing will continue. We claim it. We pray for it daily. And we know it’s possible.”

Christian is due to return home Wednesday, Aug. 27. He will be returning to Hammond’s home in Good Hope in a wheelchair, with a Hoyer lift and with many ongoing medical needs.

“Our home must be transformed to support him — ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms. We also need a wheelchair-accessible van to get him to and from his many appointments, most of which are still in Atlanta,” Hammond said. “And so, we are reaching out — humbly, and from the depths of our hearts — to ask for help. If you’re able to donate, share, send a prayer, or offer words of encouragement, please know that it makes a difference. Every bit of support gives Christian a greater chance at healing, recovery, and rebuilding his life. He deserves that chance. He deserves to be there for his daughter, his siblings, his friends — for all the people who love him so dearly.”

Christian does not have health insurance so any help is very much appreciated, whether it be in the form of a donation through a GoFundMe account, or possibly even the donation of services to help with home modifications.

If you are able to help, click or tap on this link for the GoFundme page to donate or reach out.