Once she woke up from her coma, Ashley was transferred to Bethesda, a long-term acute care hospital, where she stayed there for one month.
“The doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to walk for eight weeks,” said Ashley. “and that I wouldn’t be able to walk at graduation.”
After she completed her program at Bethesda, Ashley was sent over to Sister Kenny, where she began her therapy sessions.
Her first session was with speech and occupational therapy, where she worked on the basics such as tying shoes, memory games, and various matching games. She only went to speech therapy once, and occupational therapy 4 times. After her sessions were over she went on to physical therapy.
“I’m hoping to regain my strength within a couple of months,” said Ashley. “My legs are still weak, but they’re getting better.”
She’s been to physical therapy only three times so far, doing various exercises.
“I go to Gold’s Gym for physical therapy 2 or 3 times a week,” said Ashley. “I’ve only gone there twice and I’ve already started doing squats and lunges.”
Ashley finally returned to school on April 18. Because of the weakness in her legs, she was unable to walk on her own for the first week back.
“I was wheeled around in a wheelchair for the first four days,” said Ashley. “then I had to use a walker for a few days.”
Family and friends have been supporting Ashley since the day of the accident.
“I remember my parents, [sister] Amber [Patri], my aunt, and my best friend Heather Beasley visited me everyday,” said Ashley. “and every day I had friends come over and visit me.”
For more information on Ashley’s well-being, you can visit her profile at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleypatri.
