Pacific Grove, CALIF- An amazing comeback story for a Pacific Grove teen who was paralyzed in a drunk driving accident. Three months ago Chelsie Hill was just like any other high school senior, but in a split second everything changed. All five of the teenagers in the car were injured, three people had major injuries and had to be air lifted to Bay Area hospitals.
18 year old Chelsie Hill, who just a passenger in the car that crashed, has been in the hospital for months with back injuries and now she's going back to school to share her story with the entire school.
Central Coast New Reporter Shannon Hogan went along with Chelsie as she went back to school at Pacific Grove High for her first class since the accident.
"It's hard because I don't really think of myself as someone strong. I just think of myself as someone that got through this and someone that survived," said Hill. Chelsie said when she woke up in the hospital the first week or so was a blur. She didn't understand what was going on or why she couldn't feel her legs. When doctors told her she may never walk again her life changed forever, "My parents just kind of held my hand and told me it will be ok," said Hill.
Chelsie spent two months in the hospital. She went through three surgeries one of them took more than seven hours to fuse together her broken lower back. Chelsie still has no feeling in her legs. She's paralyzed from the waist down, "My family has been my rock they have really helped me with everything," said Hill.
Chelsie's parents stayed by her side at the hospital; even now without their help everyday things like getting out of bed or getting dressed would be almost impossible, "I took everything for granted everything form taking a shower in the morning to going out with my friends at night," said Hill.
Getting ready for school takes close to an hour and not because she's stressing about hair and makeup, just getting dressed and brushing her teeth is a chore. Chelsie was on the Pacific Grove Dance Team, her dream was to perform on the hit TV show "So you think you can dance," "Since I cant walk, I cant dance and so its kind of like part of my life is gone," said Hill.
Physical therapy has taken the place of dance. Chelsie now spends hours each day, with one goal in mind taking her first steps since the accident, "Why was it me why do I have to wake up every morning and not get out of bed and walk," said Hill.
In the short time she's had to adjust to her new life, Chelsie is facing each challenge with a smile on her face and determination in her heart. She's become an inspiration for her family and friends, "I can do everything else everyone can do it just takes more time," said Hill.
Friday Chelsie is talking with the entire student body at Pacific Grove High School. She hopes her story will help other teens make good decisions.
