INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana woman who lost more than half her scalp during a horrific go-kart accident in July 2012 was reunited with the medics who saved her for the first time.
Shelbi Crouch, who before the accident had beautiful long, strawberry blonde hair, nearly died after her hair caught in the axle of a kart at Whiteland Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Her first ever ride in one of the vehicles.
Crouch said she does not remember the six minute LifeLine ride to Methodist Hospital.
Crouch suffered several injuries, including a skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, broken temporal bones, and paralysis on her face.
Tuesday evening, the Indiana University Health LifeLine crew came back to Whiteland to see Crouch – this time they were not in a rush.
Whiteland volunteer fire chief Dave Gabbard wanted to surprise Crouch.
Gabbard invited the pilot and medic who saved Crouch that day to join their two year anniversary celebration. Medic Mike Marciniec was thankful to get the invitation.
“You made a point to land here tonight. We did and we were glad they called. She looks great. It is nice to see patients after a transport do well and thrive,” said Mike Marciniec.
Crouch told FOX59 seeing where she was that day in the helicopter helps with the healing process.
” I really appreciate them taking the time out and coming to see me,” said Crouch.
Crouch’s mother, Sherri Crouch-Wilson, believes her daughter has healed faster than expected because of her strength and the support of the community.
“These people are our family after the accident,” said Wilson-Crouch.
Crouch has decided not to do anymore surgeries.
“I am comfortable in my own skin. The Lord has shown me that through this I don’t need my hair. My identity is not in that. It is in Him,” said Shelbi Crouch.
