The 12 year old girl who was attacked by a shark on the coast of North Carolina last month has been released from the hospital to transfer to a rehab center, where she will undergo an inpatient rehabilitation program.
Kiersten Yow was one of the two people who were attacked by sharks on June 14. Yow lost her left arm below the elbow and suffered a leg injury after being bitten by the shark. Her surgeon, Bill Adamson, said in a statement released on Monday that she has made tremendous improvements in her recovery.
Adamson said that Yow was permitted to start walking with assistance again last week after her skin grafts have healed. The girl now walks under her own will and increases her strength and distance daily. The doctor added that Yow's positive attitude and determination have enabled her to make steady progress.
"Kiersten will most certainly continue to improve in rehab, where she will focus on increasing her strength, balance, and range of motion and on learning how to use her left arm in her daily activities as efficiently and effectively as possiblem" Adamson said in a statement released by the N.C. Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill on Monday. "We expect great things of Kiersten and are anxious to follow her progress on the road to recovery.
Yow, who is from Archdale, was bitten by a shark while she was on vacation at Oak Island. Her rehabilitation in Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte will involve helping her focus on her balance, strength and range of motions.
The rehab will also help her learn how to use her remaining arm in her day to day activities. Yow will learn skills she will need once she recovers such as tying her shoes with only one hand.
Yow's parents, Laurie and Brian, released a statement on Monday saying that although their daughter's doctors expect her to complete the program in three weeks, their determined child expects to complete this program in just two weeks.
"This is one step closer to getting home! We are very appreciative of everyone we have crossed paths with at New Hanover and UNC," reads the Kriesten Yow support page on Facebook. "They all provided tremendous care and helped to get us to this point. Kiersten is looking forward to working hard and keeping her stay here short!"
