Determined student overcomes accident

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 30, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Like a mother holding her newborn for the first time, Karly Schweitzer gently rocks her solid lead crystal award in her soft, delicate hands.

"I love it," said Schweitzer, 21, a Clearwater native, smiling at the award.

On a sunny Georgia day earlier this month, Schweitzer and about 3,200 Emory University students celebrated at graduation ceremonies at the academically selective Atlanta school. During the May 15 commencement ceremonies, Schweitzer, a student in the Roberto C. Goizueta Business School, was given the Inspirational Student Award.

The award capped off an emotional weekend for Schweitzer, her family and friends who made the trip to Atlanta to see Schweitzer in her black cap and gown. Schweitzer walked with her class though she has two more classes to take this fall before she can get her degree.

On Nov. 23, 1997, Schweitzer suffered life-threatening head injuries when a truck broadsided her friend's car in an accident on a stretch of Interstate 85 near Anderson, S.C. For nine days, Schweitzer lay in a hospital bed, about 600 miles from home in a coma.

During the rehabilitation process, the young woman's parents stuck with her around the clock. Her mother, whom Schweitzer calls her best friend, often slept in her daughter's hospital room during the nine days she spent in a coma. They accompanied her to 41/2 months of day therapy at HealthSouth on Clearwater-Largo Road. They were with her at Craig Hospital, a nationally renowned center in Denver that specializes in spinal and brain injuries.

One of her greatest challenges was simply making a go of it without her parents. When they returned to Clearwater, Schweitzer found herself without her closest confidantes, her biggest cheerleaders.

She recalled being alone in her dorm room: The vibrant young woman who takes pride in her self-confidence found herself in the throes of depression for one of the few times in her life.

"It was so weird because I'm (always) so happy," said Schweitzer, who was 19 when she returned to school. "I had a lot of emotional things to go through."

Schweitzer had to make other adjustments.

Once a student who didn't have to study and could still ace an exam, she now had to cram for midterms and finals. A student who used to take notes for her classmates, Schweitzer now needed others to take notes for her. She was also given extra time by her professors during exams.

A self-described stubborn young woman, Schweitzer fought through the depression by focusing on graduating.

"I wanted to graduate this year," said Schweitzer, pounding her right fist against the desk in her dad's conference room. "I wanted to graduate with my class."

Through hard work and lots of studying, Schweitzer, who has a 3.0 grade point average, was able to accomplish her goal. After she finishes her class work, Schweitzer plans to take a year off to study for the LSAT and go to law school.

On Thursday, Schweitzer will head to Europe on a six-week business course.

Since her return to Clearwater, Schweitzer has spent her time working out for an hour a day, visiting old friends and chatting online with others who have suffered brain injuries. She is a volunteer on a Web site founded by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop. She became a volunteer for http://www.drkoop.com in March.

A week ago, Schweitzer chatted with six people. "I just tell them, you've got to have a good attitude."

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