Today is Monday and the nurse at the school has told me that I caught one of the lovely stomach viruses going around campus, BLAH not cool. But I will be on my way home in 2 days :) I am super excited. The ladies have a home game tomorrow so I get to watch them play for like the first time in 3 weeks. I am going to have to start traveling with the team on away games because my coach believe that I only go out when they are gone but he is so wrong. Oh well they believe what they hear ya know. I hope everyone is having a great time and enjoying life. I played soccer last night with contact and everything, running is still hard but I had fun. Hope all is well.
Smile daily,
Toni

Sorry for taking so long to post again. I had to complete extra community service because our stupid resident life woman is a B word. I rod the bike for about 2 miles today, I was told to stop running until I complete my deep tissue massages to release scar tissue. I lift weights 6 times a week, yea baby you know im getting big in my muscles haha. I wiegh 111 WOOT WOOT im excited. My professors are amazed by me and my metal bones, I have yet to show them the x-rays but i have to print them out any ways because I'm FLYING home on the 7th. Yeah I'm going to attempt the plane haha. But I am on my way out. I love yall. Hope all is well.
Smile daily,
Toni DeVaney

So far the team is not doing so great, they tied one game and lost 3, but the team is starting to come together a little later than planned. I have weights 4 times a week, 2 times with the team and 2 times with therapy. Im not allowed to run anymore until i gain weight because my shin scar tissue is inflammed. My ankle is feeling better and hopefully in December ill have insurance and can have surgery on my arm and get the rod out. The weather is a tad chilly up here and makes me sore but its beautiful. Hope everything is going great for everybody. Miss yall and Love yall sorry it took so long to post.
Love you,
Toni

So i have been bugged by my mom for the past 3 days about posting a blog. I am doing fine, classes started wednesday and the only thing is my paper wouldnt e-mail to my professor on friday so i have to turn it in late. I have been running and hopefully starting weight lifting soon. Um the girls have their first real game this thursday against UNC penbrook. hopefully they win... Well the guys team has a game tonight, so hope all is well with everyone back at home.
Love,
Toni

Hey,
so it has come to the final day and night left here in Gulf Shores, and I cant really say that I am going to miss this place but I am going to miss the people. I hope that everyone who has kids or if you are going to school has a safe trip moving in and a great time while at school. I now start my very long journey on weight training while the rest of the team prepares for the season. Im going to be sad to leave everyone and their high spirits. Love you all.
Toni

Hello everyone,
Summer has flown by it seems, Toni has her good and bad days, but we still have her and she has recovered so remarkably sometimes we are tempted to believe it was all a bad dream that lasted WAY too long. Then we see the scars, and the bills, and reality really sucks. She leaves for NC on Friday, it is the start of a new and different life for her. We know she will conquer everything she decides to tackle, but we will still miss her. Always proud and thankful!!!!

Love to all
Mom & Dad

hey everyone,
sorry it's taken so long for another post but i've been busy busy busy with college paperwork and packing. I leave in 18 days yay but I am still in therapy for my degrees on my foot, I want it to maintain 10. I'm working out with the personal trainer and he is kicking my butt, but I need it real bad. I have put on 11 pounds now, I weighed 106 last time I weighed myself (last thursday) but I am about to head to the beach because one of my friends that I haven't seen in forever is down. Have a great week.
Love,
Toni

Hello everyone,
Toni helped a friend move her stuff to her new room in Auburn this weekend. We finally have better answers on Grandma J, she has pre-cancerious polyps in her small intestine and now we wait to get appointment for next move. Toni had her physical for school today so most everything (except balance due) is taken care of. We just need to make the trip and move her in. That happens the weekend of Aug 9, then she can start working out with their trainers, she works once a week with the one at Encore after her mobility therapy right now. They jogged for the first time last week, she said it didn't really hurt as much as feel totally weird (10 on the 1-10 scale). Her progress still amazes everyone, I think she will adjust to the feeling and be the best she can be. Have a good Tuesday.

Love to all,
Laurel & Scott

Hey,
Grandma J is back home, they still dont know what is wrong but she is doing better. I leave on the 8th, I was going to go on a trip with a few of my friends the first week of August but I think I'm going to stay home with my closer friends. Well on the 4th of July some car pulled a hit and run on my temperary car, I have no clue who did it because my car was parked but the blinker light is now gone. Im not to happy about it, I really just want a different car to take to school. I wish this law suit would be over already so I can buy my car with my money. Oh and finishin paying for school. But oh well all i can do is hope and wish. Hope everyone had a safe 4th. Have a great day.
Love,
Toni

Hello everyone,
Its Sunday which means dad has to leave today :( always a sad day, but hopefully he will be coming home soon. I have officially given up on the whole job search thing and it makes it hard only having 6 weeks left. I am starting to pack more of my summer clothes so that means I will be fully packed real soon. I'm the first to leave out of my friends and it's going to be real sad. I hopefully get to see them when I come back in February to get the rest of my plates removed. I just watched Brazil beat USA in soccer :( another sad day. I hope everyone is having a great summer.
Love,
Toni

Hello,
I know its been awhile since I have posted something new and I am sorry, the screw came out successfully after going through 4 different size screw drivers. Grandma got released today and they still dont know what is wrong with her so now we need the prayers to go her way. The numbing medicine wore off while they were putting stitches in which wasn't suppose to happen, go figure thats my luck, I kept my screw and got 2 painful stitches and am pack to takin a bath. We got the xrays from the day of my wreck :) yay. But I am going to nap I am still exhausted.
Love you,
Toni

Hey,
We went to the doctor on Monday, they said they can take a few screws out of my ankle for me. My birthday is tomorrow and I am so excited. Grandma Johnson is back in the hospital due to complications, the doctors say she will be fine though. When I hear more I will keep yall posted.
Love,
Toni

Hi everyone, Mom here. Finally we got the right cable and can upload videos again, yaaahooo. We will start with the BIG day, graduation. Enjoy (I cry everytime I see it)

Love and thanks to everyone!!!!
Laurel

Dad is home for fathers day, which means he is looking for the camera cord so they can put up my graduation video that everyone has been demanding to see. We just got back from the annual fire station bbq, I went and saw all my firemen which they didnt know I was walking yet so they got a surprise. I accidentally forgot my therapy on thursday because I have been going monday, wednesday, and friday but friday was booked up and I guess it was a blonde moment. I might be leaving the 31st of July for a senior trip in NC and then just move in on the 9th. Im going to take a nap. Love you
Toni

Hey everyone,
My ankle is staying at 6-7 degrees which is good. I only need 10 to play again and once I can get 10 without it being stretched then I am a okay. I wanted to do something fun for my birthday next week but my parents are being parents and constantly think of the bad so there goes my birthday. Well Im mad right now because my brother can do everything that he wants for his birthday but because they almost lost me that I need to be in a bubble for the rest of my life. I wish August would get here so I can go to college and do everything with everyone because they wont be able to stop me over the phone. Im about to turn 18 and I am still being treated like a child. And on top of everything else I am getting frustrated because all I want to do is run and play soccer. grr. well im going to get off and try to find something to do for my birthday.
Love you
Toni

Happy weekend everyone, Mom here Toni resting, her body burns more calories as it heals and she doesn't realize how much rest she actually needs sometimes. Lundy keeps quoting Seuss from a book my Sister In Law is in possession of(ahem, you know who you are) so I ordered it for Toni yesterday (can you believe that Books -A-Million didn't stock it?) I had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew will be here next week. It really is a cute book, but I love Dr. Seuss anyway. Toni is now at a 7 in her ankle, 3 more degrees and it is SOCCER TRAINING TIME!!!! Have a great Saturday, weather here is beautiful.

Laurel

Hello,
So my brother has stollen my computer for a few days so i wasnt able to post anything. Im still in therapy 3 times a week and things are now slowing down, im halfway to where i need to be on my foot, but my doctor appointment got mover to the 15th :( but thats 2 days before my birthday woot woot. less than 2 months now before i leave for college. Well im off to hopefully get a new license since mine is messed up then lay out.
have a great day
Toni

Hello everyone,
Mom here, I have been trying to locate a cable to upload some things from my camera, it happens to be a tricky one to find. I have found 4 but none work with the video. I will figure something out though. Battle of the Bay played last night, they honored Toni with the opening kick and the teams tied 4 - 4. It was a great game and of all numbers, she had 17 (the accident date, her age, and her birthday). She walks everywhere now and gained two more degrees in her range of motion so maybe she gains the motion without surgery. I am sure she will ask on the 12th anyway. I will close and let her post later.

Love to all
Laurel

Sorry for it being so lone till I posted another blog, we went to the jambalaya festival in new orleans this past weekend (me, mom and dad) and my parents got to see old friends that they made during ivan. It was fun, I have our soccer party today at 3:30 we're going on a dolphin cruise and dinner. We havent measured my ankle the past few times ive been to therapy so im praying that when we do that its a good number. I am honestly running out of things to say, during the summer time it is hard to keep people updated when you cant really do much. I might be having surgery this summer (in june) maybe to remover scar tissue so my foot will come back faster. God I cant wait to touch a soccer ball, Im inpatient and want to kick.
I gotta run but I will post more.
Love,
Toni

Hi everyone,
Here is the link to the Sacred Heart Trauma awareness day, it really opened my eyes and I already appreciated that trauma team at Sacred Heart!

http://www.livegrandrounds.com/default.aspx

copy and paste the link then go to the video's and the one called Celebration on the left

I think she did very well. They were tongue tied since she was the only one in critically serious condition strictly from broken bones, everyone else had other issues as well.

Love to all,

Laurel & Scott

Good morning,
So I kinda kept a huge secret from everyone but for those who came to graduation yall found out.... SURPRISE haha but I can walk some now without the help of anything. I have therapy today early at like 9 ha but I am going to talk to them about possibly having another surgery for scar tissue removal because that is the only thing holding me back right now. I hope everyone was surprised at graduation and that everyone has a great day today.
:) love you,
Toni

Hi everyone,
Its Mom and this is a quick update, Toni will post later on. Today is finally graduation and this morning we went to Sacred Heart for the Trama Survivors Celebration. Toni was one of 7 invited to speak, it was quite an honor and we will post the web address for the video in a few days. She also got an honorary nomination (by the County Coaches) to the Battle of The Bay. For those of you not from here, it is a Soccer game between the best players in Mobile County and Baldwin County (hence the name, Mobile Bay is in the middle). It is strictly a nomination thing done by the Coaches so really is special to her, she loved playing in that game. Getting ready to go hang out with the yankee's at the condo they rented so maybe we will see some of you guys tonight. It has been a long three months but she gets to graduate with her class, YAHOO!

Love to all,
Laurel & Scott

Hey,
This morning was senior breakfast and we watched our senior video. We also got our cap and gowns and I have recently realized I am 20 pounds less than what I was when we ordered them. Oh well. OHHH NOOO Grandma Rita is coming down tomorrow and on top of her being mad because of my tattoo she will drive for 12 hours and she is going to be grumpy. I cant wait for Monday and I pray that it does not rain because we only have 2 tickets for the church if it rains. Hope to see everyone Monday. Except the family I will be at the condo at 8 every day to wake everyone up and go to the pool.
Love,
Toni

Good evening,
This afternoon I went to Gulf Shores drama class spring production and for those who didnt get a chance to see it, lets just say they all did amazing and it was hilarious. Tomorrow is our last Friday EVER in high school haha I am so excited and I dont even have a full day of school left. Friday and Monday I have therapy and Tuesday is our finals and its a half day. In the end it will be a sad but hold many memories from my youth. I have gotten the option to go to North Carolina either August 9th or 18th. Im baseing it on how far along I am in therapy hopefully I'll be able to leave on the 9th. Hope everyone has a great Friday and be safe for the weekend.
Smile,
Toni

Hello,
New Orleans was fun, but a lot of people. Now there is less than a week till Im out of school and less that 2 weeks till we graduate and I can not wait. The therapist are still kickin my butt but it is all for a good reason. Im about to go out to eat so hope everyone has a good night and good tuesday.
Love you,
Toni

I went to the doctor today and he said everything was healing wonderfully, I did get permission to get some of the metal removed in a year and I plan to go back to them for the surgery, Mom and I are going to see dad today for the whole weekend and Im pretty excited. Grandma dont worry I know your getting old are its harder to see (taha) so you dont have to make excuses because of my tattoo. :) just kidding I love you and I will see you in 3 weeks.
Have a good day everyone,
Toni

Hi everyone,
Guess what! Today I got drug tested! I didn't pass, must be the loritabs I take when I go to physical therapy. Guess this means I can't play sports for the rest of the year, and I may get a warning about drug use. They claim it is random. I think the girl who had an accident and goes to school in a wheel chair would obviously be on some sort of pain killers, at the very least. I left them my parents number so hopefully when the DA's call my parents one of them will tell them what they think. We got stuck with all 4 weinner dogs this week so that means constant bed warmers. only 8 more days of school and I am very close to being caught up FINALLY.. but I need to finish my research paper and love on dumplin since dad took her pups to their home so she is sad.
Have a great day.
Toni

Hello,
Last night turned out eventful, Grandma might not want to read past this point, or aunt dee dee...... but dad and I went and got tattoos lol, he promised me when I was in the hospital that we would and he held that promise last night. Today I am going to the mullet toss with some of my friends, time to throw some fish ha. But I hope everyone has a good weekend and Grandma if you read past the dots I apologize :). See you in may Love you.
Toni :)

Its finally Toni,
I am working on my research paper and making up all the work I can. Only 11 days till seniors are out. For me there isn't much to look forward to because I wont be able to go to the beach with everyone else but I'm not to worried about it. I cant wait to see everyone at graduation and thank you all for keeping in touch. Love you all so much.
Toni

Mom again,
This senior stuff keeps Toni busy. Today it is school, then scholarship interview, then last game of season. She left with three different changes of clothes. Tuesday night was a huge success, her kick off was great and the smile was heartwarming. I was so proud of her and how far she has come in such a short amount of time. Toni, her friend Sarah and I went shopping this past weekend, the mall here is having huge sales. Now we all have stuff for graduation and Toni has two other dresses for honors night and senior breakfast. It made Toni feel good to shop for some new stuff that she gets to also show off at these functions(and it was on sale too!). She is still trying to catch up all of the English and Government assignments since last day for seniors is May 12. I feel as if I have lived a lifetime over these past two months. Keep praying, she loves all of you.

we do too!
Laurel (Mom)

Hello,
Toni ran out of time this morning but today is a big day for her. It is senior night at the soccer game and we managed to get permission from the doctor for her to be able to start (no weight on ankle). She will be in the center and steadied by another girl, then she will roll the ball to the other girl who will kick it out of bounds. After that the team takes a knee and subs Toni out. She planned it, we just need final approval from the athletic association (from what I understand). Her entire senior soccer year is almost gone and this plan lets her at least take the field once. I am sure she will be posting a more exciting version later on, for now I just wanted to update everyone. Oh yeah, the puppies can now climb the gate so we have to figure a new plan to contain them, for now I am giving them the kitchen, hall and bathroom.

God bless you all for everything,

Mom (Laurel)

hello,
there really hasnt been that much to inform everyone of, the puppies are getting big and are so cute. i still go to therapy 3 times a week and still advance really quick. I'm just now working on graduation invitations so please send my mom your address if you would like to receive one (sparkey@gulftel.com) that way it wont be public. hope everyone had a great easter. thank you for still praying and the support.
love
Toni

Hello everyone,
Mom here, this is spring break for Toni and the better she gets the more normal she wants to be. We all hate what this accident took from her and it breaks my heart how fast she grew up and the extremely mature decisions she now makes. At the same time, she stays on the teen age side and tries to make the best of it all. If I ever had to pick a hero, she wins hands down.

Happy spring break gulf coast, and a belated Happy Easter to everyone.

I am blessed to have my Toni, but it still makes me sad about the price she paid.

Love to all,

Laurel

hello,
For those who wanted to see the pitch, here is a picture. It headed straight for the plate, then fell and rolled over it. I am sticking with soccer, softball pitching just isn't me. haha

Love
Toni :-)

Hello,
So once again I can not make it to school due to the weather, because of the temperature change my joints are swollen and I am unable to move with out pain, so now I am another day behind which sucks. Anyways the benefit yesterday went well, I had fun and they gave me a HUGE cake, along with left overs to last a month ha. But it was a good day and really pretty outside. I hope you all had a good weekend and I love you.
Toni :)

P.S. Grandma Underwear (tehe) you better of not cried at the prom pictures. I love you

Hi,
Mom and Dad here, posting one of her prom night photo's, she looks beautiful (we are a tad partial) and we don't know outcome of queen vote until 8:30 or so but when we do we will post it. Win or lose, she was the queen in our book tonight.

smile everyone :-)

Scott & Laurel

she didn't get queen, but she still looked amazing!

Some have asked about my pitch well uh lets just say it got to the plate but rolled over it haha. Im not a softball pitcher, think I will stick to soccer.
Toni

Hey,
Today I went to the doctor and got my cast cut off and I am now back in "das boot" haha I love calling it that. tehe. But anyways I went to therapy and can use crutches now but when they worked on my ankle it is really still and -13 degrees on my dorsal flexion and it has to be at +10 before I can walk, but if anyone can do it apparently I can, so I've been told. Tomorrow I get to throw the first pitch to start off baseball and softball for the city, then I get to get all pampered for prom :-) yey, I'm excited and deserve it for atleast an hour ha. But this is a picture of my ankle that was taken today, it's 21 screws and either 4 or 5 plates. Hope you all have a great day.
Love you,
Toni... I am still smiling :-)
CHEESE ha

www.al.com/press-register/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/123831810354800.xml&coll=3

www.al.com/press-register/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/1238404522266260.xml&coll=3

www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2009/04/01/sports/doc49d2248d63537323987067.txt

these are the links to the three articles that have been done about Toni's signing a soccer scholarship with Mt Olive, N.C. You may have to copy and paste them into your browser to view if they don't link up from here. You can also go to al.com and search DeVaney for the first two and gulfcoastnewspapers.com for the last one. I believe she has won the hearts of this entire area, our Toni. She has also been nominated as a prom queen candidate for this weekends prom, and has been selected to throw the first pitch at opening ceremonies for the recreation baseball/softball season (usually the mayor gets to do that) the same day as prom. She plans to try to do some of the prom on crutches, depending on what Doctor says friday when we go back. Locals, don't forget the benefit that Tipsea's is having on Sunday (check the flyer).

Keep smiling

Laurel (for Toni)

Daniel Boyette/Press-Register

Gulf Shores’ Toni DeVaney signed a soccer scholarship with Mount Olive (NC) College on Friday. The senior signed a little over a month after a head-on collision left her with multiple injuries.



Back on track

Toni DeVaney signs scholarship a month after injured in accident

By Daniel Boyette
Sports Reporter

GULF SHORES-Toni DeVaney still doesn’t recall much from the wreck. But she does remember being trapped in her car, talking to a rescue worker and worrying about whether she would get to keep her soccer scholarship.

The fear about her athletic future was not surprising. DeVaney had been named to the All-Baldwin team by county coaches multiple times, played in the Battle of the Bay match and competed in Europe with the United Soccer Academy. And, suddenly, everything was in limbo. She had broken both of her femurs, the tibia and fibula in her left leg, right ankle and left humorous.

But just a little more than a month after the accident, DeVaney is back on track.

Mount Olive (NC) College honored DeVaney’s Scholarship, and the Gulf Shores senior signed with the Division II School during a ceremony Friday afternoon at the GSHS library. The signing came a little more than a month after a Feb17 head-on collision in Orange Beach that occurred as DeVaney was driving to the Dolphins’ first match of the season.

Samara Santos, 20, of Pensacola was killed in the wreck. Gulf Shores police said Santos lost control of her vehicle, crossed into the incoming lane and slammed head-on into DeVaney’s Chevrolet Impala.

“It’s really overwhelming. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry,” DeVaney said of Friday’s signing ceremony. “But it meant a lot for all those people to show up. I didn’t expect that many people. I’m just glad I got my Scholarship.”

DeVaney, 17 isn’t taking the scholarship as a token gift from Mount Olive; she still plans on playing for the Trojans.

“I’m red shirting my freshman year and the coach (Matt Heistler) wants me to go to physical therapy and do personal training to get my muscles back,” she said. “I’m a small person, so he wants me to get 20 extra muscle pounds. That’s like 40 because of what I lost (after the accident). Freshman year will basically be muscle building, getting tactical skills back, touches on the ball, little things.”

DeVaney is currently undergoing 90-minute physical therapy sessions three times a week and is a month ahead of schedule. Her left leg is healed and the cast on her right leg is scheduled to come off next week.

“(My physical therapist) said that’s going to be the toughest thing,” DeVaney said.

Gulf Shores coach Jason Thompson said that DeVaney's presence on the side-lines at games has helped motivate the Dolphins. “All this journey that we’ve been through, to see her walk in here today to sign that, it’s just unbelievable,” he added. “It’s made my entire year.”

Before the accident, DeVaney was considering studying to become a physical therapist or surgeon. But after spending “too much time in the hospital,” she has her sights set on physical therapy.

“I’ve learned a lot of things about it now,” she said with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure I’ll do great at it.”

Hello everyone,
This is mom but I have a reason, good people with huge hearts keep appearing, I promised the girls at Tipseas I would post this on the blog. Toni is truly a miracle and an angel to have touched so many and we are so proud to call her ours. Here is the latest generous group to appear in our lives. We hope you all consider coming, it sounded fun to us! Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes.

Laurel, Scott, Tyler & TONI

Hey,
Today was my signing at 2, it went very well. I walked into the library, and sat down at the table with Coach Thompson and my mom, then signed. The Baldwin Register and The Islander were both there so look for the article in the paper. I was surprised by how many people showed up for my signing and I even told myself before I got there that I was not going to cry but once Dr. Rosado spoke before I signed I just couldn't help it. I'm sad to say I didnt get to play this year and it is my last year to have the opportunity to play with this wonderful group of girls. I am very glad to be able to play in college and hope everyone can come sooner or later to watch me play again. Have a great day.
Love you,
Toni

Hi everyone,
Mom here, Toni has had a busy week since she started going back to school, normal things take longer for her to do and that consumes the extra time she normally would have had. She works so hard at therapy that she is tired and needs a nap in the afternoons. They even say (at therapy) that she has progressed so fast they need to re-do her charts because she has far exceeded any normal expectations they might have had. We are now on the hunt for a wedge sandal(I know we have to buy a pair) to wear to prom since she will likely be in a boot on the right ankle (again, way ahead of what they originally thought) and the spike heels she was going to wear just aren't going to work. We located the MP3 from her car, the LCD screen is broken but it still plays and her new phone has MP3 capabilities so she decided not to replace it yet. Her Sperry's are now her only confirmed casualty from the accident, and all things considered, that isn't bad at all. Today she had a visit from LeeAnn and Sarah from the Pensacola Futball Club Team she played on for three years. They aren't in this picture but this is last years GS soccer team. God bless all of you for your prayers and all the support. As Toni would say, "smile every day".
I do because I wake up and still have her!

Laurel xoxoxo

Hey,
School went well today, I only had to go to my two main classes which wasn't bad, then went to therapy. I have my college signing on Friday and plan on walking in to my school library to my signing. Tomorrow is a full day at school for me then a game right after. I dont really have much to say so I hope everyone has a great night and a wonderful Tuesday. :)
Love,
Toni

Hey,
So the doctor appointment could of been better on friday but I had 117 staples total, 5 plates in my ankle and a bunch of screws. I am now in a cast till I go back April 3, and hopefully I get a boot just in time for prom. The doctor was impressed with my recovery and I have FINALLY been released to go back to school tomorrow. My scars are healing well and I attempted crutches and realized my leg was still really weak. Well time to eat lunch, Love everyone.
Smile daily,
Toni

Hey everyone,
I know its been 2 days since I refreshed everyone on info on my recovery. The past 2 days of therapy have gone very well, I walked at both again and I'm jumping further so she says. I am a great patient according to Mrs. Jenny ( my therapist) because while she has patients that come in with the smallest injuries and constantly complain, I show up every day increasing my range of motion and never saying a word but constantly smiling because I am so grateful for every degree I gain in my range of motion. I go to Dr. Marshall tomorrow with a note from my doctor letting him know my progress which is a month advanced. Hope everyone has a great and safe rest of the week. Love you all and just as you pray for me I am praying for yall that the parents with kids never have to go through what my parents just had to.
Smile everyday,
Toni :)

Hello,
Today is game day. I woke up this morning feeling a little sick though. Im now in a bed that I can get in and out of by myself. I have therapy tomorrow and Im kinda worried because my arm is really sore today, I cant wait to get the staples out of my shoulder then I can actually massage it. I hope everyone has a great day.
Love you,
Toni

Hey,
This post is going to be short and sweet, I have been standing on my own and moving from bed to wheelchair and more. My wiener dog is having pups, so far we have 5, 2 boys and 3 girls, its exciting. this week is loaded for me but Im going to have to call the fire department every day to get me up and down the stairs. Monday and Tuesday the girls have a soccer game, and hopefully Mr. Glassford lets me go with them Monday to Spanish Fort. Wednesday and Thursday I have therapy which means I'll walk some more. and Friday I go back to the Dr around 7:45 a.m. ahh thats really early but I will get the rest of the staples out and get my cast on my foot, hopefully I can get released to go back to school. My weekend went well, Saturday night I got to go to Corey Smith for free and after the concert I got rolled back stage and met the man ha, it was so much fun. And today the soccer team came over for a pizza party thanks to the United Soccer Acadamey. Well goodnight everyone or goodmorning to everyone reading this on Monday.
Love,
Toni

Hey,
So therapy went fantastically, lets just say that nothing can ruin my day and I bet you are all wondering why. Well I'll tell you... I walked today with my walker. I'm overwhelmed and feel so accomplished, its been 3 weeks and a few days since my wreck so that's great for me. I know tomorrow every muscle in my body is going to be cussing me but it was worth it. I cant wait till tonight to watch the girls play. I love you all.

:) Toni

Hey,
Sorry this post is so late but I wanted to have gone through therapy before I filled everyone in. Therapy went well today, they might send me to foley so i can get and hour of physical therapy for my legs and an hour of occupational therapy for my shoulder which as of now is the worst because it is so stiff, I have therapy again on friday so im just going to stay in gulf shores encore till we talk to the dr and find out what he thinks is best. I stopped by the school and saw a lot of people which made my day. I STOOD TODAY :) dad had to hold me but i got up. We went to look at a temporary car for this time so i can get in and out, its worth as much as my car was totalled so its a decent car. But im extremely exhausted and bout to eat dinner.
Love you all,
Toni

Evening Everyone,
I finally got to sleep in my own bed last night and boy did I sleep great, and I finally slept later than 8. We got the bracelets in that read "Strength & Courage -Toni" they look really cool and they are like a Columbia blue. They will be sold at the games and at school. I get some more staples removed today around 3, I pray that will make my foot feel much better. I have use of my arm tremendously which makes me excited. I hope you can all came to the game Friday and I hope everyone is staying safe and being careful. Have a great day.
Love,
Toni

Herro everyone :),
I have just received notice that some how I got student of the month for gulf shores this month. Ironic because it's been 3 weeks since I've been to school. Yesterday I was able to stand with my walker, not for a long time but it was on my own, I actually did it twice. Im just excited that I could do that. Tuesday I am getting more staples out to add to the 53 that have already been removed, and my therapy starts Wednesday, sorry for mis informing everyone yesterday. I plan on going to the game on Friday and hopefully making it to the school one day this week. Hope everyone has a great Monday.
Love,
Toni

Hello,
This is Toni. In the picture that is the helicopter that I was in. I have started getting more and more use to my left arm, still not fully capable of lifting it myself but it all just takes time. Today i get treated to a massage from Ms. Dawn (lyndsey Bentons mom) which hopefully will release the huge charlie horse knots that I have in my legs and I wont be so sore from doing so much. Yesterday while in my chair I rolled into the kitchen and with help of reaching the items I made my own sandwich. Just think of the things that people take for granit every day, just being able to stand, walk, move your limbs, even go to the bathroom without someone having to pick you up. And in no way am I trying to make anyone feel sorry for me but its challenges I have to face daily. I'm greatful to still be here, every morning I wake up wishing it is all a bad dream then i try and get up, i can lift my legs now and hold more weight each day on my leg so that helps my dad. This coming tuesday I will go to Encore for my first therapy with them, I am expecting a lot of pain to come from them but it only means I am getting better. I hope you all still keep me in your prayers and stay with the support.
Thank you all,
Toni

Hello,
Mom again, Toni is resting. All the activity wears her our and rest is important also. She wanted to go to the St. Pauls game last night so we took her. The girls lost but it wasn't a shut out or a landslide and they are a very tough team. She likes to get out doors, misses playing but makes her feel good to help coach. The USA Coach, Mike Varga, was there (games played on USA fields) and gave Toni a soccer ball and jersey signed by his girls team, plus 5 of them made the trip out just to see her and she spent about 40 minutes in the parking lot visiting with them, it made her feel very special. St Pauls teams (both boys and girls) lined up to shake her hand and wish her well, they had already done some fund raising for her and a card so we made the trip to thank them as well as watch the game. All these things bring tears to our eyes, the sheer number of people she has touched, her highs and lows, the determination she shows as she faces every day, and knowing she will play the game she loves again.
we all love you! God Bless!
Scott, Laurel, Tyler and TONI
http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/baldwin.ssf?/base/sports/1236365110295460.xml&coll=3

this is the newspaper article that goes with the picture

Happy Friday,
Mom here, Toni got a semi-shower with massage setting on the hand - held shower, and of course we did the hair again. She is sore and achy but nurse Joe says that is part of the process of working the muscles. She still gets around in wheelchair but more and more of the momentum is provided by her. Help is accepted only when she is too tired to do it herself anymore, very stubborn about doing things for herself. Still haven't decided on a replacement car, have several in mind but crash test ratings are obviously important (5's are good!). The smile in the newspaper article today speaks volumes for her drive and disposition. Every day we thank god and all of the rest of you for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. Any one of these days we expect her to just stand on her own, she amazes us that much.

Love to all, and god bless,

Scott and Laurel

evening everyone,
this will kind of be my post for the 5th but SURPRISE to everyone who saw me at the game, i kinda broke some rules but that spiritually helped me so much to be with the team and be able to watch the girls win. im going to try and be at most of the home games and thank you parents for the applause during the girls half time, im glad i can surprise so many people with my recovery rate. Sorry for talking off your ear if i got a chance to talk to you but i haven't seen many many many of your since the wreck and i can get a little caught up in what i say. and i seriously cant say this enough thank you all for the support, i appreciate it.
i hope that yall can come and see me and that i hopefully made this cold night a shock for everyone, goodnight, or if your reading this tomorrow good morning or evening. i will be spending most of the 5th on the couch doing a lot of my therapy. i love you all.

Toni DeVaney

Hey again,
Now my mom wont be able to get me off this, sitting on my couch never made me cry so much before. tears of joy of course. got messages from alot of people and i really do mean thank you for all the support, each day i can get on and see how many people feel the same as me. my dogs still dont quite realize they cant sit in my lap but got the hang of sitting beside me. hopefully i can get out and about very soon. and next time alot of the people on here see me i just might be completely balling (crying) and im sorry ahead of time, this is a rough road and im just another one to travel on it.
god bless you
love
toni

This is Toni again and I realize I'm doing 2 post in one day but this news is so great that it has to be told.... I Toni DeVaney, get to go home tonight. woohoo

Hey everyone,
I have a feeling ya'll have been waiting to hear from me, this is Toni. :) I'm now finally in my own shirt, all my IV's and tubes are gone except one in my arm for medicine which is set comfortably. The nurses here have treated me wonderfully and presented me with a ceiling tile to paint. I have set my personal goals and plan to stick with all of them. I am looking at a possibly 9 more days give or take till I'm home doing therapy and I welcome anyone to come visit me after I get there (with a phone call of course). I appreciate everyone who has come to visit me whether I was aware of it or not. My therapy thus far is doing GREAT I am trying to get use of my left arm again, and am capable of standing with the help of my wonderful nurse Joe or my father, once my arm is capable of movement and bearing weight I'll attempt a walker to stand and by then my leg will be used to the weight and I'll try walking alone. The unfortunate thing of today is my 2 surgeons are changing the dressing on my right ankle which is not going to be fun, I do not know if my mom has informed you but the ankle was completely re-built basically and will be a long road of recovery that I am ready for. I hope some of the people who read this will make it to my graduation may 18th to be shocked and shown the girl that wont stop fighting.
i apologize for all my capatilization errors and spelling but i am still one handed but wanted to let everyone hear from me. thanks for all the cards, gifts, donations, and most of all the SUPPORT, it has helped so much. but remember be careful in life there are crazy drivers out there, dont text and drive and WEAR A SEAT BELT.. it saved my life but broke my arm ha.
love you all,
toni :)

It is Monday, Day 13 in hospital. Toni's strength continues to improve as she tries to begin the process of using her available limbs to speed her release. Her emotions are beginning to come back which she considers a sign of weakness, we tend to think it is a normal part of this entire process. She, and the rest of us will eternally ask the question "why" and none of us will get an answer that satisfies. The reality is, we have her alive and repaired, and she is in control of this uphill climb ahead of her and the eventual outcome. Hopefully, she still makes all of her dreams come true, despite the emotional and physical pain she must endure to get there. We have choices with her rehab and she has expressed a desire to come home instead of entering a in-house program. They will come here and we are checking into using the local facility and the reciprocating process between the two entities. She is lonely for normal things so maybe home is best choice for now. It will be slower but she has always maintained high standards of personal dedication to rehab. The days ahead will be long and hard on her, please keep praying for her.

Love to all,

Scott & Laurel

It is Sunday and she has improved greatly. Sorry for the late post, we actually slept in. Toni had two team mates spend the night so we snuggled in with the dogs and really slept. This morning they sent me a picture from their phone of Toni sitting on the edge of her bed, so of course we called and they said she had been up, her dressings had been changed on her left leg and she ate her pancakes and bacon breakfast. Today we are supposed to find out about rehab options available to her. She has expressed a desire to post a blog herself today so I don't want to go too far into details. Toni is a tenacious fighter and finds strength from a source beyond us I am sure. Although she is still in pain, the little triumphs count as milestones.

Love to all, keep up the prayers,

Scott & Laurel

Good morning everyone,
It is a harder morning for Toni, she has been in a great deal of pain. They have her on a cocktail combination of pain killers/muscle relaxers that keep most of the pain at bay. Her spirts are good when the meds kick in, and her personality shines through in the midst of all of it. The Doctor said he was able to get the ankle reconstructed and plated with screws. It will be 8 - 12 weeks before any weight can be placed on it and that seems to be her biggest source of pain. She was scheduled for 2, they took her in at 4 and called us around six to say they had started about 45 minutes ago. She came out about 11:30 and had a restless night after, massive pain. Last night it was the arm hurting but that has subsided today and we have discovered the ankle. We expect her to be mostly in and out today but keep blogging, we read her everything. On the good side, we go to crutches &/or walker from here since the pins allow her to bear weight now.

Much love and please keep praying for her recovery,

Scott & Laurel

Hello again everyone,

No surgery today, the Doctor got set back by being on call so it was moved to tomorrow at 2pm. It wasn't unexpected but we did kind of hope for a good day in the ER. Her spirits stay high and she reads every blog you send. Tonight, once we knew we had been rescheduled, she asked for subway and ate a six inch chicken bacon ranch sandwich. Fuel will go a long way in helping her body heal. Up until yesterday and today, it had just been a few bites and then she was done. She enjoys her friends being able to spend the night with her so until Laurel really has to stay, we let them be teens and it takes away some of the reason she is there. Think Kayla brought High School Musical 3 for them to watch tonight. We will keep you updated tomorrow, going to get some rest. This hospital stuff can really wear you out.

Love to all, keep her in your prayers,

Scott & Laurel

Well it is Thursday, I think, and Toni is on the schedule for surgery today. The orthopedic surgeon is on the ER rotation so hers will be this afternoon sometime after his rotation ends. He specializes in sports medicine so we know he will do his best with her. Toni, for now, is enjoying reading everyone's blogs, but wants us to keep doing the updates. She got into a wheel chair and we took her outside yesterday, but the combination of medicines makes her queasy so we went back in after a brief time in fresh air. While she was up we were also able to wash her hair and get all the knots out. Her hair is back up and she feels much better. She put weight on her left leg and pivoted so she could sit down, that excited her as well. Once the surgery is over she will accomplish much more (the arm scares us all until it is pinned). Her ankle will be casted and non weight bearing for three months, but with a pin in her arm she will soon be able to use crutches. We signed paperwork so she could get her x-rays since she wants to see them, they should be delivered today on a cd. Figured if she was strong enough to see her car she would do ok with the xrays. There is this wonderful nurse named Joe who has taken Toni under his wing and has such a rapport with her she attempts things with courage and determination. I guess we are adopting him (and his english bulldog and three parots). He is a marvelous person who, for some reason was in the ER the night she came in and was her nurse the last two days she was in pediatric ICU. I think he also might have had a hand in the spacious accomodations as well. I am choosing to believe he has a big part to play in her life and we are thankful for his presence. He isn't as annoying to her as we are, LOL. Going to close for now, another long day ahead.

We love you all, keep praying!
Scott & Laurel

Dear Everyone,
thank you so much! Keep praying, I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow afternoon on my ankle and my arm.

Love to all,
Toni
(the orthopedic surgeon is on call for the ER so lets hope it is a slow day and I get my surgery)

Wednesday update

Hello everyone,
A week ago at this time we had been up for over 24 hours and our life as well as Toni's had changed forever. All the thoughts that race through your head and the overwhelming emotions that keep hitting you wave after wave give testimony to the human spirit and its resiliency. Toni is now in a room (#359 Sacred Heart) and her surgery is tomorrow or Friday because they want the swelling in the right ankle down a bit more. It won't be later than that because now is the opportune time for best results since her bones are already trying to heal.

Today I wanted to share something the hospital brought to me yesterday and asked my permission to print it in a Trauma newsletter they published. This particular article was submitted by the ER/Trauma nurse that attended Toni once she was transported. Her name is Jackie Nichols:

"A thick skin. Tough as nails. A hard outer shell. This is how some might describe ER/Trauma nurses. It is true that, for mere self preservation, we must insulate ourselves from emotional attachments to the pain, despair, and devastation that rolls into our trauma bays. I'd like to share a time when it was not so easy to shake the effects of trauma.

It was, for this young lady, an afternoon like any other. She was on her way to the first soccer game of her senior year. What should have been the beginning of an exciting season took a tragic turn. The victim of a head on collision, she came to our trauma bay with multiple fractures. Her only plea was "please, just let me get back on the field." Her plan, she relayed to me, was to play soccer in college. In less than one hours time the excitement of her senior year, the hope of a winning season, picking out a prom dress, graduation plans and the usual activities that go along with ones senior year of high school came to a screeching halt. Not only was she physically broken, but her spirit was dealt a blow as well.

While it seemed that she would likely survive her injuries, I was struck by the intensity with which this afternoons events would effect her life. You see, I have a daughter who plans to play sports in college too. my daughter is a senior this year also. We have already been looking for potential prom dresses. For me, hearing her plans, seeing the strong body of an athlete now broken, and listening to the cries of this particular trauma patient hit too close to home for me to detach myself from it. You can believe that when I got home from work, I held my own 17 year old as long and as tightly as a teenager will let her mom hug!

After much contemplation in regards to this trauma, I have come to the conclusion that it is OK to feel the full emotion of a trauma. Empathy is to be considered a strength. We need not form a hard shell. Our response to human suffering is natural and the very thing that makes us human in return. In getting a first hand view of human tragedy we are in a fortunate place. We see daily how much we have to be thankful for and what a sin it is to take a single moment for granted."

God bless,
Scott & Laurel

2/23/09

As everyone is aware, Toni was in a head-on collision on Tuesday, February 17th on Canal Rd. She was air lifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where many of you have gone and visited with her.

She originally was listed in critical condition and underwent over 7 hours of surgery to repair her broken bones in her legs. She broke both of her femur bones, both of her tibia bones, 1 of her fibula bones, one bone in her arm and multiple bones in her right ankle. She now has several rods, pins and plates in her legs and ankle.

After surgery, Toni was put on a ventilator because her lungs started filling up with fluid from the trauma to her chest.

On Thursday morning one of Toni's lungs collapsed and she had to have a chest tube put in. Later that same day her other lung collapsed and she had a second chest tube put in.

On Saturday morning the hospital called and said that Toni was coughing up blood clots. They put a camera inside to see what was causing the clots. The doctor said it was what he expected, but wanted to be sure. It was from the trauma to her chest, but she did not have any internal injuries. They got most of it out, but she would continue to cough up a little blood until she got it all out. Toni is breathing on her own now, but due to the blood clots, they were going to hold off trying to remove the ventilator until Monday.

On Sunday, Toni was doing so well that they decided to remove the ventilator. Her throat is very sore, but she is awake and aware of everyone around her.

This brings us to today. Toni actually called us today and asked us to bring her her cell phone. She must be feeling better :). When we got to the hospital they had her sitting up in a chair. This was a wonderful site to see!!!! Toni remembers almost everything that happened and is very upset that the other driver died.

Toni will have a second surgery on her ankle on Wednesday to put in 2 more plates. They will also reset her broken arm.