Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 3, 1993 TAG: 9305270631
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That Friday night as she traveled an unfamiliar road near Stewartsville in the rain, she had an automobile accident that left her paralyzed and in a coma.
Her story is especially poignant since her future seemed so bright. Her academic record was one of straight A's. She had received a math award, a science award and an American Legion award.
"She and I took the ASBAD [a military test] together," said Stacy West. "She may not have chosen a military career, but she kept her options open."
Kate's broken bones and punctured lungs have healed, but no one knows to what extent her damaged brain will recover.
"They told me she would probably be a vegetable," said her mother, Penny. "Now, she is in stage three of the coma - she can respond by blinking her eyes, and she has learned to move her finger and her right toe."
While she was a patient at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals, classmates visited frequently. But since Jan. 4, Kate has been at Cumberland Rehabilitation Center in New Kent County.
Whenever possible, friends travel to see her, but they look forward to the day when a bed will be available in a Roanoke nursing home so visits can be more frequent. Plans are being made to transfer her to Burrell Nursing Center.
"I was so glad I went the weekend of the blizzard," said Michelle Bowers. "I stayed with family at Virginia Beach so I could visit Kate and explain why her mother couldn't come."
Kate and her mother moved from Alton, Ill., to Roanoke last year when Penny was transferred from Norfolk Southern's St. Louis office. An only child, Kate immediately was accepted by classmates at William Byrd.
"Most of the senior class knew her, even if they weren't close friends," said Alicia Gaylor. "On Valentine's Day we made her a huge Valentine and everyone signed it."
Valentines and visits are thoughtful, but the fund-raising drive the students conducted has netted more than $74,000 to be used for therapy when Kate returns to Roanoke.
"The Monday after the accident, we decided to raise money through donations," said Michelle Bowers. "We couldn't believe we raised $1,300 in just three days."
"This was especially significant, since they had just collected an equal amount for United Way," said Susan Prewitt, senior class adviser.
Norfolk Southern also collected money and added it to the school fund. Roanoke-area bands donated their services for a concert with proceeds going to the fund.
"At the end of the concert everyone sang `Puff, the Magic Dragon,' " said Gail Foley, guidance counselor. "That was Kate's favorite song."
The profits from selling William Byrd T-shirts also were added to the fund. When the faculty learned that Kate was wearing sweats and T-shirts, donations poured in. Two big boxes were sent to her mother.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***