Man st-abbed in skull savors a new life

In April 1998, Michael Hill survived a horrifying attack on the north side of Jacksonville, where a neighbor unexpectedly stabbed him in the head with an 8-inch serrated blade. Dr. Hill, a trauma patient, defied the odds as the knife penetrated deep into his brain. The emergency room at what is now Shands Jacksonville Hospital played a crucial role in his survival. The doctor in charge, Shawna Perry, initially believed Hill wouldn't make it due to the knife's size and location.

Despite extensive blood loss and a serious head injury, surgeons successfully removed the large foreign object without major complications. The incident was captured by The Learning Channel during the filming of Trauma: Life in the ER, making Hill's case notable enough to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest foreign object removed from a person's brain.

Hill's recovery, however, was far from easy. The attack left him with ongoing challenges, including difficulty controlling his emotions, an inability to work, and short-term memory issues. He relies on medication for pain, seizure control, and emotional stability. Despite these struggles, Hill expresses gratitude for being alive, acknowledging the immense difficulty of the past year.

Derrick Smith, the assailant, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon in July 1998 and received a one-year sentence in the Duval County Jail. However, he was released and later violated his probation, leading to an arrest warrant. Hill believes the attack stemmed from a dispute between Smith and Hill's sister, who Smith may have mistaken for Hill's spouse.

Hill's life took a profound turn after the stabbing, impacting both his body and spirit. He faced challenges in maintaining employment due to the lingering effects of the attack. Consequently, he volunteers at the Victim Services Center, sharing his story as a speaker on their calendar. Hill reflects on the transformative experience, stating that he discovered the true meaning of living through the ordeal. Despite the hardships, he believes that if it were his time to go, it would have happened that night, emphasizing his newfound appreciation for life. Hill's story has garnered attention on various platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Maury Povich Show.