Follett making steady progress in rehab program

The future looks bright for Jessie Follett, a Redmond High School sophomore who was critically injured in a car accident on March 24.

Since awakening from a coma on April 5 at Harborview Medical Center and being transferred to Seattle's Children's Hospital on April 16, she is making steady progress in a rehabilitation program.

Follett is now eating regular foods and doing exercises such as sitting up, rolling over, leg raises, neck exercises, moving herself in and out of a wheelchair, standing and "walking" with the assistance of a harness, parallel bars and Children's staff members, according to the Follett family's appointed spokesperson, Ronda Thomas.

"She gets stronger each day," said Thomas. "I stayed with her this past Saturday to give her mom a chance to go home and get some much needed rest and I had a great time with her, relaxing, watching movies, checking myspace and Facebook, going out for walks in the wheelchair, etc. ...I got to see firsthand how she's building her strength in her legs and arms and her left side is starting to come around more and more, too."

Thomas said Follett does not remember what happened on the day of the accident and her family is focused not on the traumatic incident but on the 16-year-old's recovery.

Jessie is enjoying visits from friends, but her visiting hours are strictly limited because of her rigorous rehabilitation schedule.

Her teammates from the Redmond Mustang Cheer squad are hosting a spaghetti feed and silent auction to help pay for Jessie's medical expenses, from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, May 2 in the Redmond High School Cafeteria, 17272 NE 104th St.

For information, contact Deena Polk of the RHS Cheer Boosters at deenapolk@hotmail.com.

Donations to the Jessica Follett Fund can also be made at any U.S. Bank branch.