NAMPA -- The Caldwell teen who fell from a sorority house window at the University of Idaho is now taking steps and showing signs of improvement. It's a story we've followed from the University of Idaho in Moscow, to Seattle and back here to the Treasure Valley.
Doctors gave Amanda Andaverde no chance of being anything more than a vegetable after she fell 23 feet and landed on concrete, but now, she's far from that and on the road to potentially, a full recovery.
"Amanda is a miracle. She's been a lot of answer to prayer, nobody thought she would be where she is right now," said Emerald Banda.
On September 9th, 2009, Amanda Andaverde fell two stories. She suffered a fractured wrist, cracked her hip, vertebrae and skull. She spent the next two months in Seattle where her doctors were less than encouraging.
"They're just telling you not to expect anything, and that she's not going to ever be the same," said Banda.
A vegetable. Nothing more.
"When you hear those words you go to another world that you wonder what did we do to deservee this, honestly," said Banda.
Banda says this experience took her to hell, but now she's back. At least on the road to what's looking like full recovery.
"With her starting to walk, with her starting to communicate, with her laughing, the hugs, I mean it just like, one day she started doing one thing, another thing, and it's just like day after day after day she just surprises me and surprises everybody," said Banda.
On February 12th, Amanda took her first steps. She's coloring. Helping with puzzles. Laughing, hugging and giving high fives. For her, the sky is the limit.
"They're just amazed at how she's progressed, because they don't really know," said Banda.
This accident has rearranged the lives of Amanda's family.
"I had a career. Career stopped. You come to a point where you really think of your kids first," said Banda.
Now, five months later, her mom is tired.
"No sleep. You always worry about her," said Banda.
But faith, for Banda is helping her overcome fear. Faith in a speedy and full recovery.
"You're looking for a parting the red sea miracle here. That's what God did, he parted the Red Sea, and that's what he's doing with my daughter," said Banda.
Amanda's nurse says that Banda's hope of a full recovery is possible. There's no telling if or when it will happen, but she is definitely heading in the right direction.
Amanda has spent the last three months at Trinity Mission Health & Rehab of Holly. If she continues to progress she will move to Elk's rehab in Boise for more intense therapy. We will keep you posted on her progress.
