The parents of a 19-year-old hit-and-run victim say their daughter may be coming home from the hospital soon.
On Monday, for the first time since the accident, Channel 2 Action News met Emily Bowman, who was seriously injured when a drunken driving suspect hit her with a vehicle.
Channel 2's Rachel Stockman went to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite to speak with Bowman's parents. Bowman's parents say they were hesitant about showing people what she looks like now because it is so difficult. But they did because they want others to understand how their young daughter's life changed forever.
Debbie Bowman, the teen's mother, says she prays with her daughter every night. She suffered a serious brain injury about three months ago when a drunken driver hit her while she was walking to a friend's house in Athens.
The Woodstock native, who before the accident said she wanted to be a businesswoman, is still unable to walk or talk. She wears a helmet to protect her head.
"Every morning, I still see my daughter. I mean, that won't change," said her father, Dale Bowman. "At some point, she is not going to be the same girl that we once had."
And now, the Bowmans are preparing for another change. They say doctors may release her from the hospital soon, and they worry because their house is not handicap-accessible.
"At some point, she is going to need doctor's appointments, and she is going to need a handicap vehicle -- best mode of transportation is sitting in her chair," said Debbie Bowman.
Emily Bowman recently had surgery, which she also must recover from. But her parents say they are taking each day one at a time.
"It's really, really hard. I've come to terms with it, but it doesn't make it easier," Debbie Bowman said.
At last, the teen's doctors told them, she would be released in four weeks.
Click here to make donations to assist with Emily Bowman's recovery.
On Monday, for the first time since the accident, Channel 2 Action News met Emily Bowman, who was seriously injured when a drunken driving suspect hit her with a vehicle.
Channel 2's Rachel Stockman went to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite to speak with Bowman's parents. Bowman's parents say they were hesitant about showing people what she looks like now because it is so difficult. But they did because they want others to understand how their young daughter's life changed forever.
Debbie Bowman, the teen's mother, says she prays with her daughter every night. She suffered a serious brain injury about three months ago when a drunken driver hit her while she was walking to a friend's house in Athens.
The Woodstock native, who before the accident said she wanted to be a businesswoman, is still unable to walk or talk. She wears a helmet to protect her head.
"Every morning, I still see my daughter. I mean, that won't change," said her father, Dale Bowman. "At some point, she is not going to be the same girl that we once had."
And now, the Bowmans are preparing for another change. They say doctors may release her from the hospital soon, and they worry because their house is not handicap-accessible.
"At some point, she is going to need doctor's appointments, and she is going to need a handicap vehicle -- best mode of transportation is sitting in her chair," said Debbie Bowman.
Emily Bowman recently had surgery, which she also must recover from. But her parents say they are taking each day one at a time.
"It's really, really hard. I've come to terms with it, but it doesn't make it easier," Debbie Bowman said.
At last, the teen's doctors told them, she would be released in four weeks.
Click here to make donations to assist with Emily Bowman's recovery.
WSBTV
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