Doctors told her parents to prepare for the possibility that their daughter would never walk again. However, three months later, the 12-year-old California girl defied all medical odds by walking on her own after a severe spinal injury.
Morgan Lopez, a dancer from Rancho Cucamonga, had performed headstands countless times without issue. However, a routine dance practice on May 12 turned tragic when she experienced sharp and acute pain in her neck after the headstand.
Concerned, her family rushed her to the hospital, where doctors said it was a spinal cord stroke. It is a rare condition that cuts off blood flow to the spine. The stroke had also affected her respiratory system. At the time, doctors told her parents, Jamie and Felipe Lopez, that there was a real chance that she would not be able to walk again.
The parents made a deliberate choice not to tell Morgan about that. Her father posted about her condition on Instagram on May 20 and asked everyone to pray for her.
Morgan’s mother, Jamie, told KTLA, “We didn’t tell her there was a possibility she may never move again. We have so much faith and hope in her.”
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What followed next were months of hospital stay, physical therapy, and strength training at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Loma Linda. On August 12, Morgan walked out of the rehab facility on her own.
Her father said, “When she stood up, she had a big old smile on her face because when she stood up, it was easier than what she thought it was.” He further added, “Seeing her now with a smile on her face, taking steps,” Jamie said. “She was so excited to walk for the first time.”
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Morgan will continue to stay in rehab at another hospital before heading home and returning to normal life. She was grateful for all the support from her family and friends and dance group. She said, “I draw strength from the desire to dance again. I hope that continuing my rehab will get me stronger so I can be able to dance on stage again and go to school.”
A GoFundMe was also started to support Morgan through her recovery. The goal amount is $45K, and a little over $40K has been donated at the time of publishing. The GoFundMe reads, “She is currently in the hospital, facing a challenging road ahead. This sudden medical emergency has turned her world upside down, and our family is doing everything we can to support her during this difficult time.”
Morgan’s father also shared some of her videos while she’s performing rehabilitation exercises. It’s a long recovery journey ahead, and Morgan remains hopeful to dance again one day. After her full recovery, her father plans on running in the Long Beach marathon in October with her.
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently verify all facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public record.
