USC freshman paralyzed in Five Points shooting could be home by Christmas

December 5, 2013 - Atlanta, Georgia, United States - Eighteen year old Martha Childress of Greenville, SC during therapy today at Shepherd Center. The physical therapist is Drew Oswald. LOUIEFAVORITEShepherdCenter

ATLANTA A University of South Carolina freshman who was paralyzed in a Five Points shooting is expected to spend Christmas at home.

Doctors at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where Martha Childress, 18, has been undergoing rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury, said they are pleased with her progress.

We are thrilled with not only the progress Martha has made since she has been with us, but also with how she has adjusted to this devastating injury, Dr. Anna Elmers, her physician at Shepherd Center, said in a news release Wednesday. She always has a smile when I see her, even when she is in pain.

Childress, who is from Simpsonville, said she plans to take online classes from home beginning in January and then return to USC for the fall 2014 semester.

Im beyond thankful to be alive, Childress said. I cannot believe the outpouring of support and prayers from those not only in South Carolina, but around the country as well. I am thankful for my treatment team at Shepherd Center for teaching me how to live again. I am also thankful to those who have constantly kept me in their thoughts.

I cant wait to get back to my life and live as normally as possible.

WATCH:

Childress was waiting with a friend to catch a taxi back to the USC main campus when she was hit by a stray bullet police allege was fired by 20-year-old Michael Juan Smith during an argument with some acquaintances about 30 yards away, police said.

Smith faces various state charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the Oct. 13 shooting. He also faces a federal gun charge.

The rest is here:
USC freshman paralyzed in Five Points shooting could be home by Christmas