Allie Pettigrew Chesterfield, VA, United States

December 1999

When I was 11, I went into a coma because my immune system was attacking my central nervous system. I was in the coma for a month and when I "woke up" I was paralyzed from the neck down. After only two months of intensive physical, occupational, recreational, and speech therapy, I went home, almost completely immobile. Since then, I have had numerous medical issues and have overcome them all. I am now a student at Christopher Newport University and have a 3.94 GPA. This is not bad for someone who had the intelligence of a 2 year old just 7 years and 2 months ago.

I hope my story gives hope to all those facing paralysis. Although my paralysis was not due to a broken back or neck, it was still very serious.
God Bless,
Allie P.