7/27/2023 0 Comments The shepherd center atlantaWhen the afternoon finally arrived, Kaytlin and Katie made their way to the Anna and Hays Mershon Secret Garden, where they would meet Kaytlin’s therapy team for the graduation celebration. When Katie asked what was wrong, all I could tell her was that I was nervous that I would have to speak at my graduation. “As I watched the clock count down, I got more and more anxious. On April 18, Kaytlin awoke ready but nervous to graduate from Shepherd Center and transition into her new life with her soon-to-be fiancée. Kaytlin and her therapy team including Jena, Nikki, Carol Ardanowski, PT, and Hannah Gross, PT/OT Aide, got to work planning out the details until the day finally arrived. “So, it just seemed right to propose that day.” “I knew that my graduation from Shepherd was already going to be an important day for me,” Kaytlin says. She had not considered proposing to Katie before, but now, everything was different. One day, as Kaytlin was working with occupational therapist, Jena Kelly, OTR/L, and recreational therapist Nikki Kiley, CTRS, the topic of marriage came up, causing Kaytlin to pause. They work seamlessly together and truly care for one another.” “To watch her and Katie work alongside one another- through one of the most traumatic experiences was really special to see. From day one, she showed up to her therapy sessions incredibly motivated, hardworking, creative, and kind to everyone she met,” says Kaytlin’s occupational therapist, Jena Kelly, OTR/L. “Kaytlin was an absolute dream to work with. Kaytlin spent two months with her care team, rehabilitating and rebuilding her confidence. Kaytlin’s family stayed close by at Shepherd Center’s donor-funded family housing, while Katie stayed by her side, opting to sleep in the hospital room with Kaytlin. She was admitted to Huntsville Hospital, and on February 8, 2023, she transferred to Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program. She believes God protected her from seeing the accident.On the morning of January 25, Kaytlin Marquess was cruising down winding Alabama roads to visit her partner, Katie, when a car pulled out in front of her, causing a collision that shattered Kaytlin’s C-1 vertebra and broke her C-2 vertebra. When she could finally see Carnie, she said a sense of peace washed over her that rid her of the panic she felt before. Melody said she went into a shock-like state and could hardly move. He asked her if she was sitting down when he delivered the news. As she got in her vehicle to drive to the church, she received a call from Chris Newkirk, operations chief of fire and emergency management. (Carnie is the senior pastor at the church.) Melody was delayed, but Carnie went ahead of her. She and Carnie planned to meet at the family member’s home before driving in separate cars to Arthur Christian Church to help with vacation Bible school. Melody was taking care of a family member. “We’re seeing Carnie again.”Ĭarnie was in a vehicle, motorcycle accident on Monday, June 20 in Greenville. Melody shared that as Carnie begins to improve, she’ll see signs of his former self before the accident. She added that he talks about numbers often as if he is still trying to do his job as the Beaufort County emergency services director. He’s beginning to eat liquids and talk, even sing “Amazing Grace” with her as a way to calm his over-stimulated brain. Carnie is showing much progress in the eight days since he has been at the center, Melody said.
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