By Josh Davis, Associate Editor
(Jan. 25, 2018) City officials this week said Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison has spoken his first words since experiencing a traumatic brain injury in November.
Morrison was rushed to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury on Nov. 29 with an apparent subdural hematoma, and then transferred to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.
On Jan. 2, he was taken to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Pennsylvania.
City Manager Bobby Cowger said the facility had recently been quarantined because of a flu epidemic in the area. The quarantine went into effect last Friday and will last for at least 10 days, he said.
“Through phone conversations [Morrison’s wife] Laura has had with him, it seems like the rehab is definitely helping. I think he’s said a few words now on speaker phone with the family. So, the speech therapy is definitely getting him back,” Cowger said.
“They’ve also got him up and he’s walking with walkers and assistants – that’s all a plus,” Cowger added.
Councilwoman Esther Troast, a long-time friend, said she is planning a visit as soon as the quarantine is lifted.
“Hearing him speak will be music to my ears,” she said. “Not one doubt in my mind that he is going to beat this – he’s strong.
“He is the best mayor this city has ever known, so involved in everything and has a love for Pocomoke that compares to no other,” Troast continued. “I certainly am looking forward to him returning in that chair. Until then, I hope I am making him proud.”
Troast, filling in for Morrison as acting mayor since December, said she occasionally has had to come out of her comfort zone in the role.
“I just tell myself, I’m doing it for Bruce and envision his smiling face and I get through it,” she said. “After all, that’s what friends are for, we support each other. He would do the same for me, I have no doubt.”
Hardwire LLC in Pocomoke started a GoFundMe page to help pay for medical expenses. Morrison has worked for the company for more than 10 years.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/ healmayormorrison.