A year after a youth trip went wrong, the family of a teen girl seriously injured while skiing says they are thankful for the support they have received along the way.
Fourteen-year-old Callie Wiebe and her church's youth group went skiing on January 31, 2020. What Callie and her sister thought would be a fun day turned into something out of every parent's horror movie. Callie had hit a tree, severely injuring herself.
"She has definitely felt more of God's love"
Callie's mom, Michelle, says the first five weeks afterwards in the hospital were the most difficult as she and her husband stood by Callie as she faced numerous procedures.
"You just feel so desperate for them. You would be in their place but you can't."
Callie and Michelle walk hand-in-hand in the Children's Hospital. (Supplied)During this time, people across Canada and the world were praying for her recovery including some third graders that Callie had previously been working with.
"There was a girl in Grade Three, on more than one occasion she woke her parents up in the middle of the night saying 'I really feel like we need to pray for Callie.' And it turns out that Callie was up in the middle of the night in pain."
Michelle says Assisipi's owner was a big support to their family when they were in the hospital. Michelle and her husband leaned on each other as they walked their daughter through her recovery.
"It was kind of just a slow recovery. Lots of appointments and such but we were glad to be out of the hospital.
The teen's walls were covered in well wishes. (Supplied)Callie's recovery
Aside from headaches, Michelle says her teen is mostly recovered.
"I think it has maybe changed her outlook some. I know that she has said she has definitely felt more of God's love and value when she heard about this girl who was praying for her.
In the summer, Callie's family was invited back to Asessippi Ski Resort, their first time since the crash. Michelle says the owner took them to the spot where she was found.
"He showed us how they had cut that spot to the ground and they had tried to think of what else they could do that that would never, ever happen to anybody again."
"You have to take the time to heal, but then to get back up." Callie proudly poses with her feet firmly on the ground, conquering a once-terrifying spot. (Supplied)The family stood at that spot for a long time, thinking of how far they had come.
"I had got her to stand on what was left of this little timber and do a victory pose," she says. "It was super healing."
Michelle says the resort's owner took a lot of time with the family that day, telling them "I like to hear that people walk away from here, their sides hurting from laughter because they have had such a good time here as a family, not because they are in pain."
Her mother says Callie is resilient and has seen that shine through the past year.
Michelle wants other people in the same position to know there is hope and to "encourage people when things are taking you down" saying "you have to take the time to heal, but then to get back up," just as she is witnessing her daughter doing.
"I am just very very proud of her, as a person."
Fri, Apr 26, 5:00 PM
Seasonal, Skilled Trades
Featured