13-Year-Old Leaves Hospital After Horrific Purcell Crash

Izzy Kitterman, 13, was discharged from the hospital after several months. In July, she was in a horrific car wreck. There were six people in the car. Four people died, including her brother and sister.

She sustained a lot of injuries.

Dr. Steven Couch said, “She had a broken bone in her neck and she had several broken bones further down in her back.”

It was a traumatic experience for Kitterman, who was staying at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany since August. She went in on a ventilator, but she can now breathe and eat on her own.

Dr. Couch said she is also healing emotionally. “She seems to be very positive now.”

After months of continual therapy and hard work, Kitterman has defeated the odds. There was a chance that she would be on a ventilator for the rest of her life, but she has triumphed through that obstacle.

David Owens, Director of Respiratory Therapy, said, “With each step, she has shown us, I don’t need the vent. I don’t need the diaphragm pacers. I don’t need my wheelchair all the time. I can stand up with assistance.”

Owens is proud of Kitterman and glad she gets to go home just in time for the holidays.  

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