According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.  This was a statistic seventeen-year-old Abbey Vacca was probably not thinking about on her daily commute to Smithville High School on October 11, 2010.  On that foggy and rainy morning, Abbey came out of her crashed car paralyzed on her left-side, suffering what would later be diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury. 

After a six week hospital stay, her doctor referred her to The Rehabilitation Institute where she has come every Monday through Friday since November 2010.  "When I first came here, I walked with a cane," Abbey said.  "Now I don't walk with one anymore.  I feel more myself now." 

With the help of her exercise classes at The Institute, she can now move her left side much better.  Her occupational therapist is helping her open her left eye a little more every day in the aftermath of brain damage, and most importantly, Abbey can feel herself getting stronger.  "People say I am walking much better than I was before. They say I look better," she explained. 

Abbey considers herself lucky to be able to go back to school in the near future.  "I stay positive knowing it's going to be better, that this is all temporary," she said.  As she catches up with her missed class work through The Institute's School Transition Program, Abbey knows she will soon be able to get back to the photography she loves and the friends she left behind. 

Spreading the Love

One Rose at a Time 

Carl Henson does not work here, but you would never know that. He has been driving individuals to and from The Institute for services for nearly 17 years.

On February 14, Carl is running a little behind schedule. He has to make a detour stop at the flower shop to pick up dozens of roses. For 15 years on Valentine's Day, Carl has been setting out beautiful roses of all colors in our lobby. As individuals pass by they pick a rose of their choice. The lobby is filled with the aroma of fresh roses. Staff and patients alike stop to admire their beauty. Our workshop program participants take a ride up on the elevator to see what is in store for them this Valentine's Day. Instantly, the women's eyes fill with excitement and joy as they pick out their favorite color rose and share it with those around them.

This year, staff at The Institute wanted to show their appreciation to Carl for all that he has done for us. Carl was presented with a gift card to Quik Trip. With a big smile, he realized that he can fill his gas tank twice with the amount of money on the card! It is the least we could do for someone who has shown us love for so many years. Thank you Carl for another Valentine's Day filled with a little extra love.