Kaitlyn Lasitter's story chronicled in hospital's magazine

“I remember seeing my parents for the first timeand I said, ‘Mommy, I don’t have my feet, but I still have my eyes andI can see you and Daddy,’ and I remember her crying about that,”Kaitlyn said.

My God, how can you not tear up seeing that? What an incredibly strong kid. I can't even imagine as a parent having to go through something like this.

What a strong person and a crazy story to read. You always read about an injury but you never hear the rest of the story, the doctor's visits, the subsequent surgeries, and the drugs needed to prevent rejection. I have a lot of respect for the family.

~Rob

"Everybody says, 'I don't know how you went through that,' but I don't know what they mean because I just did it. You really don't know what you would do unless you're in that position," she said.

"Everything happens for a reason. Everyone has their own life story, and mine was supposed to have this huge detail put into it at some point."

This is what moves me the most. That kind of positive outlook about life's trials and tribulations, especially the kind with the severity she experienced, is not that common.

And then this:

A few months ago, Kaitlyn got back on the proverbial horse and rode a rollercoaster again at Walt Disney World. It was a kiddie coaster and she jokes about how she and her dad were squished into the tiny seats, but it helped her get her confidence back. And after growing up in Florida and visiting Disney World more than 50 times, it was an amusement park she trusted.

"Being a 15-year-old girl, I love being dangerous. They took that joy from me, and I wanted that back," she said. "I wanted that feeling again of putting my hands up in the air."

Good for her!

That was a really nice article.

Wow

Ditto to the above comments.

This should be required reading for any ride operator or ride mechanic.

I'm with Jeff. When the story first hit the wires I heard the early criticisms of the family, "oh, they are going to get rich" and that type of crap.

I LOVE the amusement industry but if that happened to one of my children I would make that park pay the most significant price it could. An absolutely preventable incident that wasn't likely due to ignorance and shortcuts.

That girl's pretty awesome.

That's just amazing that she's riding rides again. What a strong person she must be to overcome all that she's gone through.

Great article! When you read a story like that it makes you think twice about your everyday little aches and pains. I always say things could be MUCH worse.

I am glad to hear she's doing well. She has an amazing spirit and attitude!

-Tina

Reading this story made me cry. I don't know if there is a God or a creator or what, but hearing her faith -- even with the life of pain and perhaps reduced possibilities that she must now face through no fault of her own -- almost makes me want to believe.

This story will make you sad and empower you at the same time.

What a fighter she is, and a great spirit she and her family must have.