Girl makes miraculous recovery after horrific crash

"Great" is one of the many words that could describe Talia Schaffart, 7, right now.

"Happy!" exclaimed Talia.

And "happy" is another one. She's come a long way since her accident, back on December 5th, when she suffered a lacerated carotid artery, two skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury.

Jenna Staskiewicz, Talia's mom, said, "We were told a couple times that she may not live, that she would be deaf, she may not wake up, she may not ever see again."

But something miraculous happened, just a few weeks later.

"Her first words that we got to hear were 'Merry Christmas' on Christmas," Staskiewicz said. "We didn't expect her to say anything, and they were her words, right when she woke up."

It wasn't long before she was transferred to the pediatric unit at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - Lincoln Campus.

That's where therapists continue to work with her on visual perception.

"Her favorite thing she's doing right now is hula hooping," Staskiewicz said. "She's running around, talking, making new friends."

Talia shouted, "Monkey bars!"

She also enjoys swinging from the monkey bars.

She's her old self, according to Staskiewicz, but now she's more than that.

"She's our - our miracle child," Staskiewicz said.

Talia returns to school, next week, and there's one thing she's really looking forward to.

"Seeing all my friends," she said.

Talia's eyesight should be restored within the next 6-12 months. She will still have to receive outpatient therapy, however, the timeline on that, has yet to be determined.

As one might imagine, medical bills are still piling up for the family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Talia.

There is also a fundraising event taking place on February 19th at the Candlelight Lounge on Grover Street, in Omaha. It'll be held from 2pm-6pm. For more information, contact Madison Chappell: madisonxhappell@icloud.com