Personal Journeys: Hard Fall

Metro Atlanta

Photos: Personal Journeys: Hard Fall

After her boyfriend tumbles from a fourth-story balcony. AJC health reporter Misty Williams is thrust into the role of caregiver.

A year following his fall health care reporter Misty Williams and her severely injured boyfriend Jason Massad relax on the sofa of their Dunwoody apartment with their dog "Wally" . Williams found herself in the role of primary caregiver for Massad while helping him navigate the health care system. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

This is a family photo of health care reporter Misty Williams and boyfriend Jason Massad the first time they went hiking together at the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. Misty met Jason seven years ago at a small newspaper in Phoenix. They were both reporters and shared a love of the outdoors. This photo was taken on one of their first dates. FAMILY PHOTO

Misty and Jason on a hiking trip in Sedona, Arizona, on June 30, 2007. In 2008, Misty took a job in Georgia and she and Jason broke up. It was a year later when they reconnected. That year they spent apart was the longest year of Misty's life. Until 2013, that is. FAMILY PHOTO

Jason lays in a hospital bed at Atlanta Medical Center in January 2013 days after his fall. He fell four stories from their apartment balcony and sustained serious injuries including a shattered heel and an epidural hematoma. After coming home, Jason then got a staph infection. Now, Jason is fighting to keep the foot that broke his fall and likely saved his life. FAMILY PHOTO

More than a year after his fall, Jason continues to rely on a wheelchair at home when the pain in his foot becomes too much. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Licensed practical nurse April Harris performs a lab draw and picc line dressing on Jason. Misty tries to work at home when she can to help Jason. When Jason has his staph infection, Misty had to put in an IV of antibiotics for him every six hours. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

An early workday gives reporter Misty Williams time to squeeze in a homemade meal for boyfriend Jason Massad and herself. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Misty administers antibiotics to Jason at home every six hours to help him fight off a staph infection during the summer. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Misty walks "Wally" twice each day - a routine Jason and Wally used to enjoy together before the accident. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Misty became a caretaker to Jason and it starts to take it's toll on her. She changed the bandage on his foot every day for weeks after surgery in July to remove the infected tissue and bone from the staph infection. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Misty and Jason kiss after getting the good news his infection is gone during a hospital follow up visit. The couple called the event his "graduation day from antibiotics." It will be a long haul with more doctor visits, more rehab and more medications. For now, the couple is just trying to wrap their heads around the challenges ahead. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

1/11

A year following his fall health care reporter Misty Williams and her severely injured boyfriend Jason Massad relax on the sofa of their Dunwoody apartment with their dog "Wally" . Williams found herself in the role of primary caregiver for Massad while helping him navigate the health care system. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Today's Gallery Headlines