Jessie Follett, a Redmond High School (RHS) sophomore who was critically injured in a March 24 car accident, is going home today.

Doctors and nurses at Harborview Medical Center, where she was airlifted after the accident and spent two weeks in a coma — and at Seattle Children’s Hospital where she has undergone rehabilitation since April 16 — have labeled Follett “a miracle girl …because of the strength she’s shown and steps she’s taken, literally and figuratively, so quickly,” said family friend and spokesperson Ronda Thomas.

Thanks to top-notch medical care, fierce determination and love and support from her family and friends, Follett is now walking, dressing and grooming herself, eating whatever she pleases, reading, writing and typing on her computer.

She’s still wearing a neck brace and will continue outpatient rehabilitation, as well as doing “summer school” with a private tutor, striving to be back at RHS in the fall.

“Being that she was an honors, ‘straight A’ student who often tutored and helped others, we have no doubt she’ll work hard and give everything she has to returning to school not only ready, but truly rarin’ to go,” said Thomas.

In a recent story by the Redmond Reporter, we reported that Follett had taken her first steps back into the “real world” since her accident, with a short shopping trip at the Metropolitan Market near Children’s Hospital.

She has since gone to a movie and University Village, as well as visiting a new gym where she is eager to resume her favorite activities of dancing, cheerleading and coaching. On Memorial Day weekend, she was given a pass to visit with her family at home.

“She got to go to her brother’s baseball games, be out in the sun and to sleep in her own bed in her own home for the first time in two months,” Thomas noted. “She got to go to the pier and have lunch and simply ‘be’ with her mom, dad and brother. As her mom said, it was heaven for the entire family to be home together and spend time again, away from the sights and sounds of the hospital.”

As she readjusts to home life, Follett’s family will place a strict limit on visits and phone calls from friends, so they can focus on helping her toward her complete recovery. She is still struggling with short-term memory loss and some of her motor skills.

Thomas added, “Jessie’s family can’t begin to thank everyone for their continued support, thoughts and prayers. Knowing it’s out there, near or from afar, has brought great comfort and joy to Jessie and her family in some of the tough times and has helped them to rejoice even more in the victories.”

The Follett family still needs help in paying for medical bills. Donations to the Jessica Follett Fund can be made at any U.S. Bank Branch.

Also, the RHS Cheer Boosters will host a car wash from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 13 at the Redmond Athletic Club, 8709 161st Ave. NE. Donations will be accepted the day of the event and pre-event car wash tickets will also be sold for $5 each, with proceeds going to the Jessica Follett Fund.

For information, contact Deena Polk at deenapolk@hotmail.com.