History
of Events
| October 4, 2002 | Falls 15 feet from a tree, breaking her back, and has emergency surgery. More detail. |
| October 5, 2002 | Learns the extent of her injuries, most notably, a crushed spinal cord at T10/T11. No prognosis given. |
| October
14, 2002 |
Flies with a medical team to Craig Hospital in CO to begin inpatient, acute rehabilitation. |
| October
15, 2002 |
Begins rehabilitation including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health education. |
| October
28, 2002 |
Told she is not expected to walk again; reserving her faith in recovery, Lyena plans for full independence once released. |
| October 15–December 9, 2002 | Battles recurrent infections but manages to complete most of her rehabilitation goals. |
| December 10, 2002 | Returns home on her 34th birthday. |
| January 19, 2003 | Visits Project Walk. |
| January 26, 2003 | Is evaluated at the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, MO. |
| February 1, 2003 | Starts developing a “recovery program” of alternative and traditional therapies. |
| February 10, 2003 | Starts training at Project Walk. |
| March 3-7, 2003 | While evaluating therapies at the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, moves legs a few inches while in water. |
| April
21, 2003 |
Voluntarily moves legs a tiny amount while training at Project Walk. |
| May
31, 2003 |
Returns to the stage with "The Road to Recovery." |
| June
14, 2003 |
Crawls a few inches independently. |
| June
15, 2003 |
Begins dancing again. |
| July
30, 2003 |
Goes sea kayaking for the first time. |
| September
6, 2003 |
Is briefly able to perceive touch on her leg. |
| September
10, 2003 |
Goes camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains. |
| September 18–21, 2003 | Hospitalized with a kidney infection. |
| October
4, 2003 |
One-year anniversary. |