Initial Press Conference by Jeff Lyons

My name is Jeffrey Lyons. I am proud to be the husband of Emily Lyons. As you all know, Emily was injured in the recent clinic bombing.

The support for my wife has been astounding. Dozens of Emily’s friends from high school, college, work, and other areas of her life have called or come by. Her family and mine have been by her side. All have had the same question, “What can I do to help?” At this time, the continued support and prayers are all that any of us can do.

People across the United States have expressed concern for my wife, who they didn’t even know. I have overheard many nurses and other health care professionals discussing what happened to Emily. It seems that they feel that she is part of the medical family, that she is “one of their own,” even though they did not know her. So far, she has just been a name to all but her friends and family. My goal in being here today is to put a person with the name.

Emily and I met here at the University in the mid-70’s. She graduated with her nursing degree in 1978. I graduated in 1979 and went into computer science. Having her at the UAB hospital is as close to being home as we could hope for.

During our time here at UAB, Emily and I dated for about two years. Even though we parted company, I never got over her. About a decade and a half passed, but we were married on Valentine’s Day of 1994.

I heard a survey once where people were asked if they had ever really been in love. Only half said yes. Emily and I considered ourselves to be very lucky to not only be in the 50% who had fallen in love, but also to have married the person we were in love with. Emily and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together.

We had plans to go to Can Cun in a few days for our 4^th anniversary. We had never been out of the states together and Emily was very excited about the trip. She would look at her watch and say something like “20 days, 6 hours, 33 minutes, but who’s counting?” It was heartbreaking for me to go to the UAB Travel center yesterday and cancel our trip. My hope is to be able to reschedule our trip someday.

Emily was often full of joy. She still has a child-like wonder about life. Emily is quick to smile at simple things and always enjoyed a good joke. I always thought that she had a beautiful smile.

During our time apart, Emily had two wonderful children. They are now 13 and 17 years old. After her divorce, Emily moved back to Birmingham. Her children wanted to stay in the same school. Putting her children before herself, she allowed the children to stay with their father.

Emily had previously worked as a home health care nurse, caring for the elderly and other patents who did not need to be in a hospital, but required a nurse from time to time. Prior to that Emily was a labor and delivery nurse. She helped bring many children into the world. Emily taught nursing in college, and has proved to be an example and mentor for many other nurses.

In searching the job market in Birmingham, she came across an ad for the clinic. This appeared to be a part time position which would allow her to take time off to visit with her children during the school year. Even better, it looked like she would be able to work much less in the summer. This would allow her to spend more time with her children when they were with us for the summer months.

I remember the day that Emily asked me what I thought about her working for a clinic that provided adoption and abortion services. My reply was that I would support her in whatever her decision was. I still do.

While at the clinic, Emily sometimes opened the clinic and answered the phones before other staff arrived. This was the case the day of the blast. Her primary duty was the safety and health of the patient. In this roll, she reviewed the patients health history, administered drugs as needed, and watched over those recovering from the procedure. In short, Emily made sure that the patient received the best care they could.

Emily also counseled the patients prior to any procedure. She was very professional and strict about knowing that a patient was absolutely convinced that they wanted an abortion. She was also very careful about the length of the pregnancy, and would turn away any who were too far along. Adoption was always presented as an option.

I want the person who did this to know that this senseless act did nothing to help your cause, if this was aimed at abortions. Emily has turned away hundreds of people who had walked right past the protesters. People seeking an abortion will continue to find a clinic who will help them. I would hope that the counselors in those clinics will be as discerning as Emily, but you have removed someone who prevented more unwise pregnancy terminations than the protesters.

You murdered a policeman. He was there earning a living. “Sandy,” as he was called, felt strongly in upholding the law. As a professional, he remained neutral. His personal opinion was that he was against abortion.

I would like to say that my heart goes out to the family of the policeman who was murdered. I am so sorry that his life was needlessly taken. I had read that his body may have shielded my wife from the explosion. If this is true, there are no words that I can use to thank him enough for my wife’s life. The term “hero” does not begin to describe him. If anyone would like to do something for his family, there is a Felecia A. Sanderson fund at Colonial bank.

I talked with Felecia this morning. She is a wonderful person and my heart goes out to her. She has asked me to sit with her family at his funeral. I am honored.

From what I have read about the placement of the bomb, it was on the side of the building which was across the street from where the protesters stand. In fact, one of the protesters felt the impact of the blast and was hit by some of the debris. Why harm him? Even though I disagree with the their opinion, I firmly support their right to have their opinion and their right to protest  just as I supported my wife’s right to work at the clinic.

We still do not know what the quality of Emily’s life will be. As you know, her left eye was damaged beyond repair and was removed. Her other injuries still show some hope, but the loss of her eye has hit me very hard. We are not yet sure of the function of her other eye which was also badly damaged. At best, her right eye will require additional surgery. I cannot bear to consider the worst.

For the first day, I hoped that she would live. Even though she is not out of danger, her odds of survival are better. Now, I hope that she will see again. In the months to come, I hope that she will be able to walk.

Both legs were badly hurt. She suffered from internal injuries and lost a lot of blood. Her right hand required reconstructive surgery. Her face is swollen almost to the point of not being able to recognize her.

Ten (10) hours of surgery were required the first day. Many more operations lie ahead. In fact, she returned to the operating room today to redress the wounds.

The good news is that she appears to know who I am. Yesterday, she would move the fingers of her left hand. When asked a question, she would try to nod her head. Her eyes are closed and she will be on a respirator for days. She cannot talk, but it does look like she can hear and understand what is being said. I consider it a miracle that she can hear after being that close to the sound of the bomb.

The family members are dealing with this as best as they can. Her 17 year old daughter was able to touch her mother’s hand today. The site of Emily’s swollen and discolored face was too much for the younger daughter. The look of horror on the children’s faces the first time they saw their mother is beyond words.

However, we still have hope. Emily has “the best of the best” here at UAB. I cannot begin to say how incredible the UAB staff have been. The long list of surgeons, nurses, and other staff have come by and talked with me each step of the way. The president of UAB came to meet with me and our family. The chaplain has by my side each step of the way. There is absolutely nothing more I could have asked of this hospital. In fact, they have gone far beyond any expectations. Thank you.

I am sure that they will continue to provide for Emily’s future needs. There is a long road ahead once I get her home. I intend to be with her each step of the way. A few days short of four years ago, I made my wife a promise of “for better or worse, in sickness or in health.” I intend to keep my promise.

I have made arrangements with my employment to allow me to work at home much of the time. The owners and vice-president of the company I work for have visited me at the hospital for hours on end. All of the employees have expressed support for my wife and me. Thank you.

I know that the police and FBI are working around the clock trying to catch the person who did this. Thank you, and I am so sorry for the loss of one of your officers. Of course, if anyone has any information about the bombing, please come forward. I understand that a reward has been offered.

My concern has been for the recovery of my wife. However, there is an empty feeling knowing that there will be no justice for Emily. For the murder of the officer, I would hope that the person would get either life in prison or death. In either event, adding a sentence on for my wife will not lengthen the punishment. Our only reward will be if the person is captured before others are hurt.

I understand that someone got to my wife just after the explosion and tried to help her. If there is a way that someone can get me your phone number, I would like to call and thank you.

I have setup a web page with Emily�s photograph. Needless to say, I have not had time to do much with it so far. However, I plan on updating the page with Emily’s progress. The address is www.emilylyons.com.

She also has an email address of [email protected]. Emily will need a great deal of support in the months ahead. All notes of encouragement are welcome. Please feel free to share your favorite joke with her. Emily has a good since of humor, and will need a laugh on the road before us. I apologize ahead of time by saying that it will be quite some time before Emily is able to read her mail. Please do not be offended if you do not receive a reply.

If your views are anti-abortion, then I respect your opinion but ask that you vent your anger elsewhere. Please respect the fact that this email address is for Emily’s recovery, not a debate on the abortion issue.

The press is welcome to download and print any information found on the web page, including photographs. I would like to thank the press for their understanding of our need for privacy during this time. So far, you have been wonderful to not contact me.

All press related requests concerning my family are being handled through Gary Mans of UAB. Please do not contact me directly, as I will only refer you to Gary. Thank you, Gary, for all of the work you have done.

I am afraid that I will not be able to take questions. I am now returning to the hospital to be with my wife.

Thank you all.