Alicia Pippin makes progress after accident
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
More than 18 months after being involved in a roll-over car accident, Alicia Pippin, 16-year-old daughter of Sherri Sells of rural Marion, continues to make strides toward a normal life.
Her story was told in an article in the April 24, 2002, issue of Marion County Record. Doctors predicted she would not live, but she made a miraculous comeback.
Confined to a wheel chair, she started back to school in August, attending half-days, four days a week.
At first, she was just an onlooker in the special education department. However, within a week, with prompting from Sherri, teachers found out Alicia could do things. Sherri encouraged them to give her school work.
Although she lacked hand coordination to write, through dictation she could do such things as crossword puzzles and spelling. The teachers also learned to understand her when she spoke.
Sensitive to her daughter's feelings, Sherri knew she needed more.
"Alicia didn't seem happy just to be in Mr. Vogel's special ed room," she said.
Alicia had always enjoyed English, so after the elevator in the old hill school building was installed, she began attending Janet Killough's English class. Ruby Kruse, a paraprofessional, was assigned to help her. She dictates sentences and writing assignments to her.
At rehabilitation in Newton four times a week, she swims a few laps in a pool and undergoes other therapy.
"She loves that," Sherri said.
Alicia suffered a setback in December, when she fell at home and struck her head. She was in the hospital for 10 days and was home for Christmas. However, she was doing poorly. Sherri said she was almost comatose, often had a high fever, and thrashed about.
After another brief stay at the hospital, she returned home and took a sudden change for the better.
Sherri decided to take her back to Kansas City, where she spent a month in rehabilitation and showed dramatic improvement. She was able to return to school in February.
She now is earning credits in English and psychology.
Sherri said using her brain fatigues Alicia, but being in class really stimulates her. She is very tired by the end of the day and goes to bed after supper. She does homework in the morning when her mind is fresh.
Alicia speaks much better now and is able to walk with a walker, although she needs help with balance.
She had a date for prom last weekend.
"I was so proud of her friends because they took her out in the middle of the floor and danced around her," Sherri said.
Ruby Kruse also provides in-home support care three days week. Sometimes, she takes Alicia to therapy.
Amy Goering, Alicia's classmate, spent time with her last summer and may do so again this summer.
Sherri is grateful to all the people who donated money and labor to build an addition onto the house. It includes a garage and an enlarged, handicap-accessible bathroom. A bedroom was added above the garage so Alicia can have the only first-floor bedroom.
The project isn't finished yet but Sherri hopes it will be done within a few months. She's busy painting, wall-papering, and doing trim work.
Her husband is a human resource manager for a construction company and isn't home very often.
Alicia continues to struggle with short-term memory problems.
"Teachers have to realize she's soaking it in but has a hard time getting it out," Sherri said. She praised them for being open to suggestions.
Sherri has undying faith in her daughter's continued progress. She believes Alicia eventually will graduate from high school.
"She has the capability to do it," she said.
