​I will share my firsthand experience with ICU delirium—the hallucinations, fragmented memories, and emotional turmoil that accompanied my critical care stay. Beyond the clinical definitions, I’ll explore the psychological impact, the challenges of distinguishing reality from illusion, and the lingering effects on recovery. By shedding light on this underdiscussed aspect of critical illness, I hope to foster greater awareness among patients, families, and healthcare providers.

I made it to Erie, Pennsylvania but things didn't go as I had planned. I get a text from the organizer Monday night saying the hotel had called and wondering what time I would be there. I had planned on traveling Tuesday and speaking on Wednesday. Well just like my sepsis journey things didn't go as planned. I get the text at 8:10 pm Monday night and we were on the road in 20 minutes. We arrived in Erie around 3:45 am Tuesday morning. We got about 4 hours sleep and spoke at noon on Tuesday morning. It was my mistake but things turned out ok just as it did in my sepsis journey.

I am thrilled to announce I will be speaking at UPMC in March. I love sharing my story as it highlights the struggle of septic shock and the life after.

It brings me great joy to make these on my laser and hand out some local racetracks. It's a good way to bring awareness to sepsis and to share my story to others. 

Had a good trip to Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky last week on May 28th. There were about 40 medical professionals in attendance with about 20 via zoom. I was so honored to share my sepsis journey and the life after. Thank you, Baptist Health for having me.

​The patient experience last week at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, California was such an awesome experience. From the moment we arrived with drones flying overhead, the clap in (where all the employees clapped and waved pom pom's) as you were introduced, to the closing dinner was an experience I will never forget. And I got to share this experience with the best wife and caregiver in the world.

I have added a communicator app to the support link page. If you or a  loved one is having a hard time communicating what their needs are please go to the support link tab and download.

​Her clinic is and was the most important part of my long journey after Sepsis in 2015. I couldn't have navigated without Dr. Ashley Montgomery-Yates.

UKNOW.UKY.EDU
As COVID-19 Surges, UK HealthCare’s ICU Recovery Clinic Meets Growing Demand

I guess I could say April Fools day on this past year and Covid but unfortunately I cant do that. For many americans it has effected us in one way or another. For me I have been in the house for the most part for the past 9 months only to go through a drive-thru. Last week i received my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I will still wear a mask out of respect and protection of others. I am hoping this year brings a better peace to myself and others as we all want to get back to some things we enjoy. For me that would be family, fishing, camping and traveling. Peace to everyone!

​Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s leading sepsis organization, today named Kentucky Family, Career and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA), and sepsis survivor Darrell Raikes as the 2019 Erin Kay Flatley Spirit Award winners. Raikes and Kentucky FCCLA are jointly honored for raising awareness of sepsis in the state of Kentucky. Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to infection that takes a life every two minutes in the United States.

I was asked to speak and share my story at The American Delirium Society in Boston in front of a lot of medical professionals from all over the world. I and Sarah had a great time and thanks to Leanne in Nashville for asking me and what an honor. And to get an email from a lady you never met about how I touched her makes your new purpose and everything worthwhile.

This young lady touched me at the Kentucky FCCLA state meeting in 2019

Almost 4 years ago on May 26th, 2015 my roller coaster ride started and there has been up's and down's but still here to tell my story and help others who might be on this ride.

The video below is a question and answer about my time spent in ICU and some of the struggles I live with daily. Please click the picture below to be directed to the video. The UK portion doesnt start until about the 15 minute mark.

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It was such an honor to be with this group of Angels from UK ICU where they saved my life. 

What a honor to be invited to Florida by the founder of Sepsis Alliance Dr, Carl Flatley on a once in a life time fishing trip. I am so excited to be able to have the strength and the determination to fulfill this life long dream. Thank you Dr Carl Flatley for inviting me and hope that together we can bring awareness to Sepsis. Had a great time fishing with Carl Flately.

Once again I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity to help others with some of the struggles they have while in the hospital. I had lots of delirium while being intubated for approximately 25 days and none were pleasant experiences. I look forward to traveling to Boston so that I may help others and explain to the caregivers what to expect. As you can read below I have been invited to go to Boston, Massachusetts so that I may help others understand the outcomes of delirium. 

We would like to invite you and your wife to be interviewed at the 2019 American Delirium Society workshop on Sunday, June 16th, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The workshop theme is "Delirium Recognition and Reduction: Bench to Bedside Considerations" and our aim is to provide an interactive and engaging learning experience for clinicians and researchers alike to develop skills and knowledge regarding delirium assessment, prevention, and management. 
 
We would like to end the workshop with an interview of someone who has experienced delirium.  The goal of the 45-minute interview is for workshop attendees to understand the delirium experience and it’s long term effects.  You would get a few minutes to describe your hospitalization and I would ask you questions which you will receive ahead of time.  You will also get questions from the audience.

I was just recently named International ICU hero of The Year by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. I, my wife, critical care doctor and 4 nurses will fly to San Diego February 16th to receive this prestigious award. What an honor to receive this award and to be nominated by my critical care doctor Dr. Ashley Montgomery. She is and always will be my angel.

​I went to Owensboro today for a sepsis presentation and look who I ran into. I love this lady to death and she was one of my nurses at UK and helped save my life. She helped take care of me in my difficult hours, Thank you Pissy!!! ( As Ron Called Her). Made my day and trip!!