Denny Strong: A Miracle in Motion

On Friday, May 9, 2025, Denny Waldrop was delivering Mother’s Day flowers for his daughter’s flower farm — something he loved to do.

In an instant, everything changed.

Denny was struck by a large trailer carrying a tractor and round bale of hay. He was run over multiple times and dragged a significant distance.

There is no medical explanation for why he survived.

When paramedics arrived, they were stunned that he was conscious. After a painful ambulance ride down country roads, he arrived at the ER — still alert enough to speak and even give the trauma surgeon a thumbs up. The surgeon later admitted he did not believe Denny would survive, but he promised to fight for him with everything he had.

And fight he did.

Denny suffered over 40 broken bones. His pelvis was crushed. His rib cage and sternum were shattered. His knee was dislocated. His tibia sustained a compound fracture. His left leg was nearly torn off at the knee.

Surgeons believed amputation was likely.

But when they operated, they discovered something astonishing — everything had been torn except the one artery required to save his leg.

Blessing after blessing.

He now has a titanium cage serving as his ribcage. He celebrated his 75th birthday in the ICU. He was put back together piece by piece by extraordinary trauma surgeons who themselves called his survival “unbelievable.”

And yet, here he is.

Healing. Fighting. Persevering.

For over 35 years, Denny served the children of Hanover County as a teacher and then elementary school principal, leading Beaverdam Elementary to become one of the first of elementary schools in Virginia to be awarded a National Blue Ribbon Award. He later served at the county level as Director of Elementary Education. Beyond his career, he coached, taught Sunday school, farmed, and exposed my sister and I to the beauty our country has to offer. He and my mom, Dedee, have been married almost 50 years and have experienced quite a different retirement than they expected, but are taking each day in stride.

He has spent his life showing up for others.

Now, his community is showing up for him.

Denny is currently at home continuing recovery. He is relearning how to move. How to stand. How to take steps. Multiple surgeries still lie ahead, pending healing of a severe pressure sore (which is almost healed Praise God!)

The road forward is long, painful, and expensive.

Between extensive surgeries, ICU care, trauma reconstruction, physical therapy, home health services, and the years of continued rehabilitation ahead, the financial burden is significant.

The driver of the truck was underinsured (which we learned is worse than being uninsured) and the small settlement in no way can cover Denny needs, medical bills, renovations much less his pain and suffering.

But we believe in miracles.

We have witnessed one.

We are asking the community that Denny has poured into for decades to now pour into him.

If you feel led, please consider donating, sharing, and continuing to pray. Every gift — large or small — makes a difference. Every share spreads hope.

Denny Strong isn’t just a hashtag.

It’s a testament to resilience.

It’s a reminder that miracles still happen.

It’s proof that community matters.

Thank you for standing with the Waldrop family during this unimaginable journey.

How Funds Will Help Denny

Denny’s survival was miraculous — but his recovery is long and complex. Your support will directly help provide:

• Intensive Physical Therapy

Insurance has limited his home health therapy to minimal visits, which is not enough for someone recovering from nearly 40 broken bones. Consistent, specialized physical therapy is critical to rebuilding strength and mobility.

• Home Accessibility Modifications

Denny will likely require long-term wheelchair use. Updates such as widened doorways, accessible bathroom accommodations, and kitchen adjustments are necessary to restore daily independence.

• Safe Mobility Vehicle

Reliable transportation that accommodates his medical and mobility needs is essential for appointments, therapy, and future surgeries.

• Ongoing Medical Supplies

Wound care materials, orthopedic supports, specialty boots, and other medical supplies are continual and costly necessities as he heals.

Every donation helps ease the financial burden of this extraordinary recovery and allows Denny to focus on healing.

We have witnessed a miracle. Now we trust that the same God who saved him will continue to provide — often through the generosity of people like you.