Vanessa was involved in an accident while out on the lake with family friends on July 15, 2017. She was riding a tube behind a boat at Lake Sinclair, when another boat's wake crossed their path. The girls were bounced from the tube and into the water. It is unclear on if she hit something in or under the water, but she suffered a fractured skull from the fall. All of those around her are devastated by this freak accident. She was rushed to a Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon, GA. Upon arrival it was found that her skull was pushing into a part of her brain and that a portion of her brain was lacerated from the broken skull. She was life flighted to Eggleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, GA. She underwent emergency surgery and had a plate and screws attached to her skull to help with the fracture. When she came out of surgery she had a pressure bolt inserted in her skull and was on a ventilator. The first 48 hours were crucial and everyone around her prayed non-stop for good news. The doctors have said that she is truly a miracle. The quick actions by her friends to get her out of the water and call for immediate medical attention, the first responders to the scene, the medical staff in Macon, the flight nurses on the helicopter, the amazing neurosurgeons and nurses at Eggleston, her wonderful family, supportive friends and all that are praying for her have played a large part in that miracle. But we all know that it is in true Vanessa fashion to fight and scrap her way to a win - and to surpass any and all expectations. She was taken off the ventilator and breathing on her own in record time. She was speaking, alert and awake - faster then any of the doctors on her team have ever seen before. She is a fighter! She has been working with the physical therapist and the speech therapist and pushing hard to meet their goals. She will be transferred to Scottish Rite in Atlanta for further monitoring, healing, and therapy. It is unknown at this present time when her estimated time to come home may be. She is improving day by day and fighting through the immense pain to get better and better. We all know that she will win this fight and be back to her sassy self in record time. So many people have asked if there was a way they could help. The most immediate need right now is to make sure that Tim and Nydia have no other worries except helping Vanessa and being with her. There will of course be expenses associated with Vanessa's recovery - from co-pays, doctor and hospital bills, therapy sessions, time off work, and any thing else that may be needed. We as friends and family can help with what is in our control and eliminate the monetary stress as best as we can. We are an incredible network of friends, family and community - please keep praying without ceasing for our sweet "V". .