Mar. 1, 2000

Just about every day we tell you about an accident or an event that seriously injures a person, or even takes their life. But here's a story with a happy ending.

It's the story of a woman who almost lost her life, when a balcony railing gave way and she fell head-first onto the concrete 16-feet below.

News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has details.

Shelly O'Meara, R.N./Neurosurgical ICU: ACTUALLY CHRISTINE WAS ONE OF THE SICKEST PATIENTS WE'VE HAD IN OUR INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN A LONG TIME.

Her CAT scan showed severe swelling of the brain. Within three hours she was in surgery to remove a life threatening blood clot. In a split second, her life changed dramatically.

Chris was in the I.C.U. for ten days in a deep coma. On the 11th day, her eyes moved a bit. And on the 12th day, she raised her hand to say hello to her husband.

But her brain continued to swell, so doctors removed a large part of her scull.

Dr. Joel MacDonald/Neurosurgeon: IN CHRISTINE'S CASE THE PIECE OF BONE WE REMOVED WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF GOOD SIZED PANCAKE.. SO FOR A WHILE SHE HAD SUNKEN SPOT ON HER HEAD THAT WAS COSMETICALLY FAIRLY OBVIOUS.

Doctors froze the skull section and a month later reattached it with replaced titanium plates. At the time, the prognosis was uncertain. Doctors thought she would never fully recover.

That was then.

This is now. Chris Ride is remarkably aware, alert and on the way to an amazing recovery.

Christine Ride: IT WAS A VERY SEVERE TRAUMATIC ACCIDENT AND MOST PEOPLE EXPECTED THAT I WOULD HAVE DIED. SO IT'S VERY REWARDING, MOST PEOPLE CALL IT A MIRACLE.

In a full continuum of care, therapists from the U Hospital now guide her mental recovery as well as help her with wrist exercises. One of her wrists was shattered in the fall.

Throughout her rehabilitation, her husband Mike is at her side.

Chris Ride: WHETHER I WAS GOING TO REPAIR OR NOT, HE WAS GOING TO BE THERE BY MY SIDE, SO THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING, BECAUSE THAT WOULD SCARE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

Mike Ride: IT MAKES YOU REALIZE WHAT LOVE REALLY IS. AND HOW PRECIOUS PEOPLE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS REALLY ARE.

Chris and Mike returned to ICU to thank those that helped them. And in many ways, the staff is meeting the real Chris for the first time.

Shelly O'Meara R.N.: CHRIS IS OUR MIRACLE. AND ITS A GIFT... HER LIFE IS A GIFT.

And for the first time since the accident four months ago, Mike and Chris say, it feels like a life with a future.