A Hardin-Simmons University student is sharing her story after she was found on the side of the road in her car with no pulse.
Just five months later, she is able to tell her own story, something doctors and her family thought she might never be able to do.
Last May Michaela Stewart was on her way home from her soon to be sister-in-law's bachelorette party when her car went off the road.
"Officer Richardson came to the door and said we found one of your daughters non-responsive on the side of the road," said Mark Stewart.
Michaela was clinically dead when an Abilene officer found her, called for help, broke her car window and started CPR.
"At 10:42 p.m. Officer Jennings found her, at 10:47 p.m. they broke a window and pulled her out of the car, they got vitals back at 11:07 p.m.," said Mark Stewart.
Michaela was not expected to recover.
"I have a lot bigger appreciation for life now because I did die. Not very many people can say I did die and I am here today, and to be able to say that is unbelievable, indescribable thing," said Michaela.
Now, even though she can't remember that night or days before and after, she can talk about her amazing recovery.
"It's been long and hard. A lot of therapy. That is all it's been, therapy, therapy, therapy," said Michaela.
She says she does physical therapy, speech therapy and counseling for depression since that night.
They have gone to each and every person involved in her recovery and thanked them personally, from the police to the fire department and EMS crews.
"Thank you. He saved my life. It was not for Officer Jennings, I most likely would not be alive today. So I have him to thank for that," said Michaela.
Although Michaela still has a long recovery ahead of her, she said this experience has given her a unique perspective on life and the career she will be working towards when she goes back to graduate school.
Just five months later, she is able to tell her own story, something doctors and her family thought she might never be able to do.
Last May Michaela Stewart was on her way home from her soon to be sister-in-law's bachelorette party when her car went off the road.
"Officer Richardson came to the door and said we found one of your daughters non-responsive on the side of the road," said Mark Stewart.
Michaela was clinically dead when an Abilene officer found her, called for help, broke her car window and started CPR.
"At 10:42 p.m. Officer Jennings found her, at 10:47 p.m. they broke a window and pulled her out of the car, they got vitals back at 11:07 p.m.," said Mark Stewart.
Michaela was not expected to recover.
"I have a lot bigger appreciation for life now because I did die. Not very many people can say I did die and I am here today, and to be able to say that is unbelievable, indescribable thing," said Michaela.
Now, even though she can't remember that night or days before and after, she can talk about her amazing recovery.
"It's been long and hard. A lot of therapy. That is all it's been, therapy, therapy, therapy," said Michaela.
She says she does physical therapy, speech therapy and counseling for depression since that night.
They have gone to each and every person involved in her recovery and thanked them personally, from the police to the fire department and EMS crews.
"Thank you. He saved my life. It was not for Officer Jennings, I most likely would not be alive today. So I have him to thank for that," said Michaela.
Although Michaela still has a long recovery ahead of her, she said this experience has given her a unique perspective on life and the career she will be working towards when she goes back to graduate school.
