Back & Spine
I could never root for Duke. Then my doctor saved my life.
I couldn’t live like this anymore. Luckily, I didn’t have to.
John Taylor
Writer
Published Feb. 27, 2026
John Taylor, pictured here with his son John, was a lifelong Tar Heels fan who never imagined he’d be cheering for Duke — until a devastating medical mystery took away his mobility and autonomy. Today he credits neurosurgeon Dr. Kelly Wackerle with saving his life, and changing his allegiance. Photography by Andrea Brewer
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