PARA High Quad

Currently Playing: Back on Track

August 26, 2010-- (Bethany, OK)--- 14-year-old Mackina Dobrinski began her freshman year at Weatherford High School last week. She is back in the daily routine of a student after a tragic all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident this summer. "We were going too fast and I lost control," Mackina said. The accident left her with a severe spinal cord injury and put her future in track and field in danger. Rebecca Carmen, Mackina's mother recalled meeting Mackina at the Weatherford hospital shortly after the accident. "I can't run track anymore! That was the first thing she told me," Rebecca said. "The doctors were worried her spinal cord was severed." After surgeons at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City reconstructed Mackina's spinal cord, she began to regain feeling in her legs. Doctors said Mackina then experienced significant progress during rehab at The Children's Center in Bethany, Oklahoma. Rebecca felt her daughter's time at the Center changed her child's life. "I'm afraid the girl would move in here if you let her," she said. "Mackina wants to come back here someday and work as a nurse with the patients." Mackina was recently discharged from The Children's Center Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation Unit (PMRU) after undergoing extensive therapies to recover from her injuries. The teen's story is featured in the latest segment on Hope TV, the Center's video channel on YouTube and Vimeo.com. The story entitled "Back on Track" gives a unique personal account of the accident, and documents her race to walk again. It also highlights her emotional homecoming on July 23. Mackina was greeted by an outpouring of support from the Weatherford community and members of her track team. "She's an inspiration," said track teammate, Paige Wadner, who hopes Mackina will walk again. "I knew nothing would keep her down." The Hope TV feature focuses on Mackina's positive attitude as she finds success during rehabilitative therapy. The Center's team of physical and occupational therapists helped her become more independent by teaching Mackina how to perform simple daily tasks. Today, with the help of a stander, a device which helps a patient stand upright, along with hard work, Mackina is back on track, closer to her personal goal of walking again.