One year later, he’s still recovering and still coming to terms with what happened.
"The last year has had highs and lows. It’s been pretty rough with physical recovery," Eccard said. "Obviously I’ve had a lot of emotional issues and financial issues as well."
The sole survivor of a crash that took the lives of everyone else on board.
When you look at the wreckage, it’s hard to believe anyone survived.
Michael’s recovery is slow but steady.
"It is very frustrating," he said. "It seems like one step forward two steps back."
His back and most of his ribs were broken, and one of his lungs collapsed.
He’s now pretty much held together with plates, screws and pins after countless surgeries.
His right leg is the only part of his body that wasn’t seriously injured.
"It’s still hard to wrap my mind around it, to be honest with you, how I survived and the others didn’t," Eccard said.
Eccard was ejected about 50 feet from the helicopter, but moments before the chopper went down he did something that most likely saved his life.
"We were just getting prepared for the patient we were about to pick up," he said. "I had just come unbuckled to prepare some equipment which is why I was ejected."
His doctor appointments are no longer daily, but his family still struggles.
His wife has to take off work a lot to help care for him, and Eccard’s income just isn’t what it used to be.
"We were having a conversation about our needs financially, and she was crying, and sort of out of the blue Tyler calls and tells my wife, ‘I don’t know why, but you guys have really been heavy on my heart, and I feel like we should be doing some fund-raising for you guys.’"
"In conversation I had spoken with him and realized in things that he was saying that they were falling on hard times," friend Tyler Whitmire said.
"I’m just surrounded by friends and family," Eccard said. "I don’t know that I’d be able to get through his without them."
Friends of Eccard have begun fund-raising to help Eccard and his family.
The first fundraiser kicks off Sunday, July 10 at all Johnny’s locations.
By mentioning Michael Eccard’s name, a portion of meal proceeds will go to Michael Eccard and his family.
This will be in effect every second Sunday of each month.
Donations are also being accepted at all Tinker Federal Credit Union locations in care of of the Michael D. Eccard donation account.
Donations are being accepted for two garage sales that have been planned for July 15 and 16.
A charity golf tournament will be held on Saturday, August 6 at the Surrey Hills Golf Course in Oklahoma City.
