YOUR LIFE YOUR HEALTH

‘She proved everybody wrong’: Hurricane High graduate’s road to recovery following devastating accident

Aug 15, 2024, 6:35 PM | Updated: 6:42 pm

HURRICANE, Washington — Madison Gill is no stranger to struggle.

“I’m just glad I’m still alive,” the 18-year-old said.

Two years ago, Gill had spent a summer day at Sand Hollow Reservoir with her friends when their truck rolled on their way home. She and two of the other passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

“I just kept trying to get up, and I couldn’t,” Gill recalled. “When the first responders got there, they kept saying, ‘Can you feel this? Can you feel that?’ And I’m like, ‘Feel what?’ So that’s when I knew something was messed up.”

Gill was rushed to St. George Regional Hospital with a spinal fracture.

“They said, ‘She’s very bad. Go straight to the hospital,'” recalled Bridget Hagen, Gill’s mother. After the phone call, she rushed to her daughter’s side.

“She grabbed my hand, and I kept apologizing to her because I didn’t have my seatbelt on, so I’m like, ‘This is all my fault,'” Gill said. “I kept her telling her I didn’t wanna die like this.”

Gill in the hospital after the serious crash in 2022.

Gill in the hospital after the serious crash in 2022. (Courtesy Bridget Hage)

Hagen said she was told if her daughter made it through surgery, she would never walk again. But Gill had different plans in store.

After spending months in the hospital and inpatient rehab, she returned home and began to adjust to her new reality.

“It’s been a lot of ups and downs, mentally, physically, learning how to deal with everything that had to change,” Hagen said.

There were setbacks that halted her progress, like the death of a friend, but Gill remained resilient.

“One day she says, ‘I want to walk across the stage at graduation,'” Hagen said.

So, Gill started working with Tyson Winder, a physical therapist with Intermountain Health.

“I could just see from the get-go that she was not going to take no for an answer,” Winder said.

It’s taken hard work and consistency.

“Even getting up and walking around the house, I made that like a goal of mine every day,” Gill said.

Gill in physical therapy with Winder.

Gill in physical therapy with Winder. (Courtesy Bridget Hagen)

But step by step, she’s been getting stronger.

Then, with Winder by her side and her family in the stands in May, Gill walked across the stage to receive her high school diploma.

“I was just like, ‘Don’t fall, don’t fall, don’t fall,'” Gill said.

“It was cool to be there,” Winder recalled. “Madi was a champion and was able to do it.”

Gill defied the odds.

“She proved everybody wrong,” Hagen said.

Through grit and determination, Gill showed that she could do anything—even what was once thought to be impossible.

“Don’t let people tell you what you can and can’t do, because you’re gonna prove them wrong either way,” she said.

Gill celebrating graduation with Winder in May 2024.

Gill celebrating graduation with Winder in May 2024. (Courtesy Bridget Hagen)

KSL 5 TV Live

Your Life Your Health

A woman wearing lime green platform shoes....

Emma Benson

Beauty is pain? Why platform shoes can be a health hazard

While platform shoes are back in style, experts say they pose a risk for injury.

7 days ago

...

Emma Benson

Maternal health awareness: Lowering risk for pregnancy-related complications

Finding a trusted maternal health provider and following their recommendations can help women stay healthy and deliver healthy babies.

14 days ago

Caffeine is the most widely-used psychoactive substance, with 80% of adults worldwide reporting the...

Emma Benson

Caffeine: How much is too much?

Caffeine is the most widely-used psychoactive substance, with 80% of adults worldwide reporting they consume it regularly.

21 days ago

Utah has seen a big spike in severe flu cases, with 829 reported hospitalizations statewide, accor...

Emma Benson

What to know as flu season ramps up 

Utah has seen a big spike in severe flu cases, with 829 reported hospitalizations statewide, according to data from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. That's up nearly 300 cases from the week before. 

28 days ago

People on cardio machines in a gym....

Emma Benson

Exercise therapist shares tips to set and stick to a fitness routine

It's the start of a new year, and for many, becoming more physically active with exercise is a top resolution. But when it comes to setting fitness goals, there are a lot of options out there.

1 month ago

Dr. David Morrell, Dr. Josh Morrell, and Dr. Glen Morrell preforming surgery together....

Emma Benson

Family of doctors provide healthcare to Utahns amid physician shortage

A Utah family shares several things in common, but what stands out the most is that their father and two sons are surgeons.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

‘She proved everybody wrong’: Hurricane High graduate’s road to recovery following devastating accident