Posted on December 5, 2016

Sault Ste. Marie resident Ashley Lundy shares her story of determination after spinal cord injury

Ashley Lundy is settling in to her “new normal,” since graduating from Mary Free Bed’s inpatient Spinal Cord Program. The Sault Saint Marie, Mich., resident spent seven weeks here for rehabilitation after being seriously injured in a Sept. 23 car accident.

Ashley, 23, was evaluated at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Saint Marie before being flown to Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Mich. for surgery.

“My neurosurgeon (said) that coming to Mary Free Bed would be my best option,” she said.

She arrived Oct. 4 and celebrated her graduation Nov. 22, just in time to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends at home.

In this video, Ashley shares her story, and three of her therapists, Tracy Oostema, Katy Porter and Lyndon Green, explain how she progressed to standing, to walking in the pool and to walking on the Lokomat, parallel bars and with a walker. Ashley’s significant other, Jonelle Bedell, also shares how she was involved in Ashley’s therapy from the beginning.

“It’s not going to be the end of the world if you can’t do something,” said Ashley, who is continuing outpatient rehabilitation at War Memorial. “You’re just going to be doing it different …

“I’m looking forward to getting better and to the day I walk again.”