By LORI TUCKER
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A car crash nearly cost a local teen her ability to walk. 6 News shared 17-year-old Bekah Guyton's story in November, only days after the accident. Bekah was on her way to school last fall when she skidded on a pile of leaves, crashing her car into a tree.
"I couldn't feel anything from my waist down," said Bekah. "I got really nervous. I was crying."
Just looking at her battered Honda, it's amazing that Bekah came out of the crash alive. Doctors knew she would make it, they just didn't know if she would ever walk again. Bekah had broken her back.
Emergency surgery at UT Medical Center left her with titanium rods and screws above and below the fracture in her spine to fuse it into place. Doctors made no promises; but only four days after surgery, Bekah got up and with the help of her nurse, she walked. Everyone was crying as Bekah took those slow but sure steps.
Today, those around Bekah are doing a lot more smiling.
"I'm out of my brace completely," said Bekah, "and I'm back to driving, partway back to school and that's exciting."
She's doing a lot of studying at home to keep up, but has been cleared for a few classes at school. Bekah has also had a lot of support from friends. They made her a quilt out of their favorite T-shirts, and the new painting on her bedroom wall is another gift from a caring soul.
Bekah's mom, Rhonda Guyton, has been thankful more than anything.
"When I see her coming from her bedroom into the kitchen to get something I just say thank you Lord," said Rhonda.
Bekah is thankful too, and plans to turn her experience into a way to help others.
"I have decided I want to become an RN," said Bekah, "and hopefully work at UT in the trauma area that I was in."
There is an upcoming "We Back Bekah" concert coming up to help with her medical bills; but, true to form, Bekah has requested a portion of the proceeds go to another teen who suffered head injuries in a car accident about the same time as hers.
