Kelli Myers Now Out of Hospital
7/3/2006
There is good news to report about Kelli Myers. According to Suphakarn Myers, Kelli was released from the rehabilitation center Friday, June 30. Kelli still requires around the clock supervision and will be attending the rehab center as an outpatient a few times a week. For the time being Kelli will remain in Virginia and continue living with her aunt during her recovery. Kelli's family wishes to thank everyone for their support, prayers, e-mails, cards and flowers. Kelli was critically injured in a car wreck in mid June near Waynesboro, Virginia. To contact Kelli, use this message board and guest book - http://www.easysite.com/aemyers.

Kelli Accident 6/14/2006 

Just wanted to let everyone know that Kelli was in a one car accident and was care flighted to Charlottesville Va. We are trying to take a flight down there, so please keep up in your prayers and we will try and keep everyone posted. She will be at UVA childrens hospital.

Update Re: Kelli's accident 6/22/06 

As you may or may not know, our middle daughter Kelli was involved in a single car, high speed traffic accident last Tuesday night near Waynesboro, VA. Remarkably, she survived. She was the only one injured, suffering facial fractures, broken hip, lacerated left thumb and head injuries. It took over an hour to extricate her from the vehicle and she was transported via helicopter to the trauma center at the University of Virginia in 
Charlottesville, VA. None of the law enforcement or medical personnel who treated Kelli expected her to make it. But she has. The vehicle impacted a tree at high speed, with the driver's door taking the full force of the impact. 

Of course, Kelli’s west coast family, Mom, (Ae / Suphakarn), sister Kai, brother Kasper and I immediately flew from Washington state to Washington DC, and drove for more than 3 hours arriving just about 24 hours after we were notified. 

Kelli’s recovery has been simply outstanding to this point. There have been some pretty rough times as the healing began, but she has shown a physical resiliency and the physical healing has begun. Once the doctor's re-positioned the facial bones and reshaped Kelli's nose, the swelling began to diminish. She had a very tough time with the neck brace and all the tubes and wires, so when they were removed, she settled down somewhat. Mom has been at her side since she arrived. The other kids and I returned to Seattle last Sunday. Kelli's Aunt, Uncle and Father and their families have also been integral in maintaining a vigil with Ae and Kelli. It has been very traumatic for everyone!!! We’ve all spoken with Kelli during her recovery and we certainly can see (hear) daily improvement. Kelli was removed from the critical list and moved from the trauma center to another ward on Sunday. Today, Wednesday, she has been relocated to a specialty center. 

The prognosis for recovery is positive, however, as of today, Kelli is still suffering from some brain damage and nerve damage in her head. No one knows if any of this damage is permanent, but it is one reason she was moved to this new location, to begin therapy. She appears to be having some short term memory loss, being unable to recall what she did yesterday. 

Ae sent the following email to me this afternoon. 

"She is doing much better today but she has been impatient and gets agitated easily. The swelling on her face has gone down tremendously except for the bruises on both eyes and the bloody red looking eyes. Based on her recovery from the first day, the Doctor said that she will be here for 3 or 4 weeks at the most. But that depends on how fast and how well her body and brain heal. Anyway, I better go back to the room and stay close to her. She still can’t be left alone in the room by herself." 

Now that Kelli has been released from the hospital, she is able to accept greetings, cards, balloons, flowers, etc. She wasn't allowed any of these before. Kelli is currently at the following facility: 

KLUGE CHILDRENS REHAB CENTER 
2270 IVY ROAD 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903 
800-627-8596 
Kelli is in room number 8. 
 

Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you feel should know about this unfortunate accident. If I have inadvertently left anyone off the mailing list, please apologize for me and let me know so I can include them on any future updates. 

If there is anything to be learned from this tragic event, it is to remember that during life, each decision one makes has an ultimate consequence. Some of these consequences are good, some are not. Some are immediate, some don't happen until well into the future. These decisions and consequences affect others than just the person making the decision. In this case, some very poor decisions were made and the consequences were almost fatal. Even though we are lucky to still have Kelli with us, the decisions made that evening will have a life-long impact on Kelli, her family and friends. 

Thank you all for your prayers, condolences and good wishes. Give your loved ones a hug and let's all hope Kelli has a speedy and successful recovery!

Dic

Update on Kelli 6/28/06 

We got the word yesterday that Kelli is recovering so quickly that she may be released from the Children Rehabilitation center/occupational therapy as soon as this weekend! There really is no reason for her to still be alive, when you look at the severity of her injuries, the brain damage, the remains of the vehicle, etc! She's an awful lucky girl! And despite all of that, her recovery has been so remarkable! Last week, her occupational and cognitive skills were that of a 6 year old to third grader. In just a few days, she must have improved dramatically! Apparently the swelling in the brain has diminished to a point that she may be able to leave the medical center! 

Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes. 

Update on Kelli 7/1/06 

Hello Everyone, 

We finally have some good news to tell you about Kelli! 

Kelli was released from the rehabilitation center on Friday, June 30th, astonishing since her injuries were so severe and life threatening just two weeks prior. Kelli still requires around the clock supervision and will be attending the rehab center as an outpatient a few times a week. 

For the time being we feel that it would be best for Kelli's recovery process if she stays in Virginia. She will continue to reside at her Aunt's house for now, but she has expressed a desire to spend some time with us before school starts late August. 

Thank you again for all your supports, prayers, e-mail, cards and flowers. Words cannot describe our gratitude! 

Ae, Dic and Family