Paralyzed Cheerleader Lost Both Limbs Because Of Car Accident — She Leaves Hospital With Surprise Homecoming

Nov 04, 2020

High school can be a time of carefree fun and transformation. But for 17-year-old Sarah Frei of Syracuse, Utah, who was hit by a drunk driver in August of 2020, the end of her high school career became a battle for her life. Due to the accident, the cheerleader lost both of her legs, had to go through 20 surgeries, and will likely use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. However, this story does have a happy ending. The hospital staff and Frei's fellow cheerleaders made sure that despite all the hardships she endured, Frei would be welcomed home with open arms.

Summer days are a time to have fun and enjoy life. This is particularly true for high schoolers. The nice weather, free time from school, and parents' extra privileges can add up to some memorable moments. A summer of frolic seemed to be in the cards for Sarah Frei and her friends.

They were likely determined to squeeze the last bit of sunshine from every day. Since the teen was going into her senior year of high school, she relished her waning days of freedom. Like many teenagers, Sarah and her friends enjoyed the freedom of the open road. She was riding in a car with some of her favorite pals when they were involved in an accident. A drunk driver hit the car head-on, as ABC News reports.

The accident scene was horrific. In an instant, the teenagers' lives changed. It was a miracle that Sarah survived.

After she was brought to the hospital, Sarah had to endure a double amputation to survive. Once both of her legs were gone, the teen underwent further testing. During these assessments, doctors diagnosed a T1 spinal cord injury.

Since she had a T1 spinal cord injury, she was paralyzed below the waist. Such a dramatic loss of muscle control below the lower back, medical staff had to act quickly to maximize her recovery. Sarah attended 70 hours of physical therapy sessions where she worked on developing her upper and mid-back muscles to compensate for her loss of abdominal tone, according to Today. 

In addition to therapy, Sarah needed surgery. During her 75-day hospital stay, Sarah underwent 20 surgical procedures, Today further reports. Doctors marveled at how positive their youngest patient on the spinal cord injury unit remained throughout her ordeal.

After such extensive therapy, surgery, and rehabilitation, Sarah was finally well enough to go home. When the big day arrived, her parents came to bring her home. They had even decorated the side of their jeep.

The sign on their vehicle contained the rallying cry of her community, "Sarah Strong." To the residents of her town, to be "Sarah Strong" meant to have the courage and determination to defy the odds. It was a miracle that she survived the accident, and her community was determined to show that kind of strength as well.

As Sarah's family drove their heroine home, strangers and friends lined the streets. Many of them carried signs with her newly minted slogan. All of them enthusiastically clapped and cheered as her caravan passed. Once Sarah arrived at home, she spent time with her younger siblings. At some point during the day, they posed for a picture in front of their house. All five of them were wearing big smiles and "Sarah Strong" t-shirts.

Sarah's friends also took the time to visit. Their warm wishes and presence helped Sarah feel even more welcome. They took a few minutes to grab a quick picture with her parents. It's hard to top Sarah's hero's arrival at home, but her community had something extraordinary planned for the next day. The family headed to the high school stadium, where the sun brightly shone as the players took the field. Even the sun seemed to reflect the joy of the community.

As the afternoon progressed, everything looked like a typical high school game. The players did their best, and the cheerleaders were there to boost everyone's spirits. As the cheerleaders got into formation, the person everyone had been waiting for appeared, front and center. Sarah was seated in her wheelchair at the front row of the cheerleading squad. Although she was in front of them, she wasn't there to watch from a front-row seat. She was there to cheer with them.

The community member's faces radiated joy as they watched their favorite cheerleader join in. While Sarah couldn't jump, walk, or turn, she could express her happiness through her arms, hands, and beaming smile. As the cheer continued, Sarah gracefully performed the arm and hand movements while she found creative ways to participate during moves that everyone used legs to complete

After reading about such an inspiring person, you should want to launch into a cheer of your own. Have you met an odds-defying survivor like Sarah? Perhaps you've managed to flourish despite impossible circumstances. Take a few moments to cheer others on here or at another social media venue. From the comfort of your phone or computer, you can cheer others to victory.

Sarah Frei is a high school senior who was in a catastrophic car accident over the summer. She sustained a T1 spinal cord injury and needed both of her legs amputated to survive. She's now back in school and has even joined her cheerleading squad at games.

What do you think of Frei's amazing recovery? Let us know, and pass her inspiring story on to friends, family members, and others who might relate to this story.