WOOLWINE, Va. – 12 months ago, the Worley family was praying their daughter, Lauren, would survive the night.
“I’m not going to lie, I would not wish what we went through on the devil,” said Chris Worley, Lauren’s dad.
After months of work, Lauren has defied all scientific reason and is back to living an almost normal life.
“She is the miracle that we prayed for,” said Mandy Worley, Lauren’s mom.
Her dad said while he always believed, it’s hard to believe the amount of miracles that happened.
“We had all the faith,” said Chris. “We put all our faith in God that she would heal, but she has healed far greater than we ever imagined.”
I sat down to talk with Lauren about the past year. She said its been a year she could’ve never imagined.
“For me, I went through a lot of physical pain, but my family went through a lot of mental-emotional pain,” said Lauren Worley. “It’s taken a lot of work, but I would have to give so much credit to God because I could not be where I am without him. He’s got me where I am.”
Since her accident, Lauren has had countless surgeries, physical, therapy sessions, and long days of work to get to where she is.
“I got through it, slowly but surely,” Lauren said.
Now, she is in school to be a nurse while also helping out at a Patrick County elementary school.
She said her message to people: enjoy every day and don’t take it for granted.
“Make memories, even when you’re young,” said Lauren. “Don’t wait.”
Lauren’s parents said their daughter is an inspiration.
“She had a 1% survival,” said Chris. “The things we saw her go through, I couldn’t imagine. I couldn’t have done it. She is tough. She is tough as nails.”
They said this year, Christmas is being celebrated a little bit differently.
“Every Christmas for now on will be different for us because it is not about the material things, it is 100% about being with your family,” said Mandy. “This year our family is still whole thanks to God.”