Makayla Noble, the Texas high school cheerleader who was paralyzed in a freak accident while practicing for homecoming in a backyard, has said it is "insane" that she didn't come home for eight weeks following the injury.
The 17-year-old Prosper resident made the comment in an update posted to the Facebook group "Makayla's Fight," which now boasts more than 52,000 members. The group was set up by the family to share updates about the teen's condition.
Usually, the family posts the updates, but each month on the anniversary of her accident, which occurred on September 20, the teen writes one herself.
"It's officially been two months since my injury and I celebrated today by going to the gym! I'm so thankful to be back at home and start to do the things that bring me joy again," Noble said in the update posted to the group on Saturday.
"Flashback to September 20 I was leaving that day and thought I would be gone for an hour or two not realizing I wouldn't return home until eight weeks later... insane I know."
Noble suffered a severe spinal cord injury in the accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down and unable to move her hands.
At the time, the teen was practicing tumbling—a gymnastic discipline that involves acrobatic maneuvers, such as flips, jumps and twists, that are performed without the use of apparatus.
The teen was hospitalized for more than three weeks following the accident before moving to a special rehabilitation hospital. Last week, she was finally allowed to return home, although her care is continuing.
The teen has made significant progress since the accident and can now perform several actions, like lifting her arms, that she was unable to initially.
"My accident has taught me a lot of things but most importantly it has taught me how good God is! The improvement that has been made in the short period of time is all because the greatness of Him. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me!" Noble said in the update.
In another update posted on Sunday, her family said the teen had a "good day" and enjoyed some time being out of the house, watching football and napping with her pet cat on her lap.
"Mak spent a couple hours at her Grandparents house! She enjoyed seeing them and getting outside for a stroll around the block!" the family said. "Mak's been home for almost a week and we finally feel like we are getting into a routine!"
