Teenager recovers in stride

Family raises awareness

Ashlee Goos-Douglas (right) and her parents, Mike and Colleen Goos, display “get well” cards from friends, SHS teachers and Island Transit employees. The family commends emergency response crews and the community for providing crucial on-site care and recovery support. PHOTO BY ADAM STEWART | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS Ashlee Goos-Douglas walks, on average, 20,000 steps each day while attending classes at Everett Community College.

A pedometer ticks off each stride.

The Stanwood High School (SHS) student, entering her junior year this fall, started attending college classes as part of the Running Start program.

After suffering three breaks to her pelvis from being struck by a vehicle on East Camano Drive last January, Ashlee has surprised her parents, Colleen and Mike Goos, every step of the way.

“She’s handled it better than her parents,” said Colleen. “We’re so proud of her.”

Ashlee doesn’t remember much of the accident, but fragments of memories are starting to piece together.

“I remember ringing the bell” to signal the Island Transit bus driver she wanted to get off at the next stop near her home, she said. “I said ‘bye’ to the driver, got off the bus and started walking behind it to cross the street.”

Her next memory is waking up at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with an incubation tube in her throat.

Based on witness reports, Ashlee may have misinterpreted a wave from a driver in the car behind the bus signaling, “I’ll wait for you,” to an “All clear, go ahead.”

Ashlee, who had only been riding the transit system for three weeks, fell back on her experience riding school buses.

She hurried to cross the street and was struck by a sport-utility vehicle traveling in the oncoming lane.

Anticipating the unavoidable collision, the driver was able to slow down and position the vehicle in a way to minimize the impact, said Colleen.

Regardless, Ashlee was struck, went airborne and landed more than 30 feet away from the point of impact.

Hearing the circumstances, Ashlee replays the incident in her head as a movie happening to someone else.

True to her spirit, she even makes jokes about it.

“They’re not funny for Mom and Dad,” said Colleen.

Neither of her parents were notified in time to get to the scene of the accident prior to Ashlee being airlifted by Airlift Northwest.

The driver immediately contacted 911 and emergency crews responded in force.

“He knew his job,” said Colleen. “He also had specialized training as a former paramedic.”

Another person on the scene happened to be a nurse. She was able to aid the driver in taking care of Ashlee before paramedics arrived.

Island County Sheriff’s deputies were able to contact Mike through Ashlee’s cell phone; “Dad” was the first number on the contact list.

Mike was on his way home from work as a media specialist at Everett Community College.

“I kept asking if Ashlee was okay,” he recalled. “He wouldn’t answer. I took that as a bad sign.”

Immediately, he called Colleen, who was a block and a half away at their house.

“I was stunned,” she said.

When she arrived on the scene, Ashlee was en route to Harborview.

The stress of not knowing whether or not her daughter would live set in.

“The paramedics and deputy were wonderful in keeping me calm,” said Colleen.

Without word on Ashlee’s condition, Mike and Colleen rushed to the hospital. Two hours later, a CT scan revealed no head or spinal injuries.

Considering the severity of the collision, her parents were expecting the worst.

However, she did break her pelvis in three places and suffered a concussion. Doctors placed her on ventilation in case she needed immediate surgery.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that image,” said Colleen.

Ashlee was heavily sedated and in shock, but she was able to squeeze her mother’s hand.

Once doctors determined Ashlee did not require surgery because the breaks in her pelvis were considered “clean,” they brought her out of sedation.

Ashlee remembers grabbing for the breathing tube to be removed.

It was and she requested three things: chocolate milk, fruit salad and “lots of sour gummy worms,” she said.

“She was in the ICU for three days, then moved to the regular floor for one night before being released,” said Mike.

Being away from her friends and missing a month of school was a challenge for Ashlee. Strength and flexibility exercises through physical therapy got her strong enough to resume classes at SHS in March.

Not being able to walk was frustrating, but Ashlee was determined to get moving in her wheelchair.

“Ash never balked at anything,” said Colleen.

“She has no fear,” said Mike.

As she relearned the basic movements to regain her stride, she focused on catching up on homework.

“It was hard to get her caught up in school,” said Mike.

However, Ashlee finished her classes on time and the history buff has set her sights on taking as many college credits as she can while in high school.

“I want to learn history, all of it,” she said.

She also enjoys writing and drawing.

The Goos family commends the community for their support and is inspired to raise awareness about bus safety.

“Like Ashlee, many kids don’t realize cars don’t stop for public transit buses,” said Colleen.

Colleen, who rides the bus rather than driving, watches many incidents similar to her daughter’s that could result in tragedy.

“We want everyone, especially in rural areas, to be aware at bus stops,” she said.

Ashlee and her parents don’t blame anyone for the accident and hold no grudges — they simply want to shed some light on the subject and have started an informational Web site for parents and kids, http://transitawareness. info/node/1.

“We have a great transit system,” said Colleen.

She wants to keep its riders safe.

As for Ashlee, she’s up and running, literally. From having to be carried around the house, to going to school in a wheelchair, utilizing a walker and a cane, the teenager is now walking tall, six months after the accident.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said her father. “You encounter a problem, and you find a way around it.”

Asked if she fears riding the bus, Ashlee replied, “Nope.”

Now, though, she’s a bit more cautious when crossing the street.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.