Parents Hope Drum Passion Will Help Bring Son Out Of Coma

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FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A Franklin teenager was critically injured when his car collided with a train. Matt Hodge's parents hope the drums are enough to bring about a medical miracle.

Four years ago, acting on a whim 17-year-old Matt picked up the sticks and rose through the ranks. The teen no one knew turned into the drummer they answered to in Page High School's band.

"Matt has been unconscious since August 22, so tomorrow will mark 11 weeks," said father Tim Hodge.

The train sounded its horn, the signs lit up in alert. For whatever reason, Matt didn't see it coming as he drove over the tracks on Wilson Pike in Williamson County.

"I was in Oklahoma actually; my dad had just passed away early that morning," said Hodge.

That's when the drum line stopped.

"I didn't know if I was going to have a son or not when I got home, I'm happy to say he's still here," said Hodge.

Inside room 304, 11 weeks after his crash Matt is still unconscious at NHC health care in Franklin.

"We make the assumption, he can hear everything we say," said Hodge.

Beneath the strong beat of his heart, there's a faint one tapping to the rhythm. Matt's parents hope the thing he lived for, can bring him back to the life he had.

"Whenever his instructors come by to visit, they're always showing him performances or drumming on the side of the bed to try to awaken that part of his brain that might still work," said Hodge.

The sticks have become part of his rehabilitation. He'll hold them and occasionally move them around.

"We hope that somehow that music is going to make a connection in his head, especially drums are so primal - there's got to be something buried deep within there that will help him," said Hodge.

Matt's parents have put their jobs on hold to stay by his bedside.

"That's what we're waiting for is that one little sign to know that there's a connection that's being made again," said Hodge.

Matt is no longer insured. His family's plan will not renew him, so a fund has been set up to help pay for mounting hospital bills.

Donations are being accepted for the Matt Hodge Family Fund at any Fifth Third bank or mail to:
Fifth Third Bank
2040 Fieldstone Parkway
Franklin, TN. 37064
or Call Chris DeCuir: 615-591-5203