Faith, family, friends helps teen recover from car crash

Thinking about coming home to her new pup, which she named Dakota, motivated her through a two-week stay in the hospital.

“All I could think about was her and knowing that if came home as soon as I did, then I’d be able to see her again,” Kirby said.

She said the chance to spend the holidays home with her family is a Christmas miracle, one she’s grateful for after the harrowing crash that killed her friend, 15-year-old Braden Rock, and injured two others.

Rock’s sister, Faith Rock, was driving near Heritage High School in Wake Forest when the car was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

“Sometimes I look back and think about how I was so close to dying, but I was able to pull through,” Kirby said.

She said she relies on support for her family and close friends, including Faith Rock, who is her Bible study buddy.

“We hang out, like, all the time and text each other every single day,” Kirby said. “We’re just a lot closer. It brought us all a lot closer.”

While she continues her recovery, Kirby surrounds herself with all the cards and supportive letters she received after the crash. She has posted most of them on her bedroom wall, loving reminders of her faith, family and friends.

This week, Kirby was able to put away her crutches and walk on her own. She plans to return full time at Heritage High in January.

“I was thinking of how I can actually walk on Christmas, and how much better that feels now, and just that I’m here still,” she said.