Joan Rivet, an 82-year-old widow from Clyde, North Carolina, survived nine days trapped in her bathtub after a fall, relying on her ingenuity and faith to stay alive. She turned the faucet on with her foot and drank water splashed to her face while drifting in and out of consciousness, according to an interview with The Mountaineer newspaper.
How the Ordeal Began
On June 1, Rivet was preparing for bed when she stepped backwards in her bathroom and toppled into the tub, bringing down the shower curtain and rod. She injured her back and could not pull herself out. Her telephone was in another room, out of reach. She yelled for help, and her cat Phoebe meowed alongside her, but neighbors did not hear.
Survival Strategy
As hours turned into days, Rivet realized she needed water. The faucet was at the far end of the tub, beyond her hand's reach. She figured out how to turn the knob with her foot and then splashed water up to her face to drink. She slipped in and out of consciousness, observing days “get dark and lighter, dark and lighter.”
Prayer and Perseverance
Rivet told the Mountaineer from a rehabilitation facility that prayer comforted her. She recalled praying, “Lord, help, help, help release the pain,” and thinking, “Oh my goodness, what did I do?” She said she “stayed away from the dark side of the whole situation because once you go down there – how do you get out?”
Rescue and Recovery
Her brother, Bill Lesko of Georgia, became concerned when she missed their weekly calls. He contacted neighbors, who saw her car but no movement inside. Sheriff Bill Wilke of Haywood County confirmed deputies found Rivet semi-conscious in the tub on June 10. She was severely dehydrated and had bed sores, treated with IVs and liquid food at the hospital. She later transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Waynesville.
Aftermath and New Outlook
By July 7, Rivet was recovering, saying, “I’m warm, I’m dry. I had a shower this morning – hallelujah – they washed my hair. I’ve had food and water. I’m content.” Phoebe also survived. Rivet plans to move to Georgia to live with family. She told the Mountaineer the experience changed her view on community: “I have two other neighbors that live alone, too. And now we say we need to check on one another.”
Broader Context of Falls Among Seniors
Rivet’s story highlights a common danger: according to the CDC, falls affect millions of older Americans annually. In the 1980s, LifeAlert commercials popularized the phrase “I’ve fallen – and I can’t get up.” Recently, 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell revealed a fall led to his June 14 hospitalization. Rivet’s survival underscores the importance of regular check-ins and emergency preparedness.
