After a life-altering injury in the Bahamas, Hannah Smith recently said an emotional goodbye to the South Florida hospital where she was nursed back to health after an incredible recovery.
As she rang the bell and rolled out of the hospital, the 22-year-old Tennessee woman was accompanied by her family, physicians, therapists, and other staff members from Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Cutler Bay.
Smith, a recent graduate of Miles College in Alabama, survived a severe accident on May 12. Now, after months of recuperating and regaining her strength, she feels thankful for her life.
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“It’s just a big win for something I didn’t see a couple months ago when I first had my accident, so big motivation,” Smith told 7News Miami.
She explained how she suffered severe injuries from a boat’s propellers while celebrating her graduation in the Bahamas.
She recalled, “When we stopped at a port in the Bahamas, I went on an excursion and, unfortunately, the boat propellers kind of dismembered my legs. I had to get them amputated in the hospital—[my left] one was done in the Bahamas—and then I was airlifted to Miami.”
She underwent many surgeries and had three hours of physical therapy per day.
“I traded my legs for my life,” Smith explained.
Even though Smith has faced enormous obstacles, she has overcome them all with a beaming grin every day.
“It’s up to you on, if you’re going to be happy or sad or, you know, choose to be mad every day,” she said.
Smith credited her motivation, family, and faith for keeping her going.
“Besides God, definitely my parents, like when I have any sad moments, they pulled me straight out of it, or like, if I don’t think I could do something, they tell me I can,” said Smith. “I told them I don’t think I’d be as positive in this situation without them.”
Smith is taking time to be proud of this significant milestone, but she is also looking forward to her next steps in her recovery, as her family cheered her as she climbed into the front seat of their vehicle.
“Very proud of myself, just being able to do a lot of my basic hygiene and get around, transfer,” Smith remarked. “Next steps, just keep healing, do outpatient therapy, and prepare for my prosthetics.”
Meanwhile, her family has started a GoFundMe to help with the matter.
