As most students slept on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 29, University of Tampa freshman Natasha Sackett fought for her life after a car hit her scooter on Kennedy Boulevard in front of UT.
‘ Now four months after her accident, Sackett is still battling. The accident left her with two severe breaks in one leg, a brain injury, substantial facial fractures and a lacerated liver. She was released from Tampa General Hospital in January.
Her mother, Veronica Opladen, says her daughter is well on her way to a promising recovery. ‘She’s continuing her rehabilitation and doing great,’ said Opladen. ‘[We] have a long road ahead of us, but she’s doing well with it.’
Her rehabilitation process consists of physical therapy, speech therapy and cognitive rehabilitation necessitated by the brain injury. Sackett will soon head to New York where she will finish her therapy while temporarily living with her father.
Prior to living in Italy for seven years, she and her mother lived in Riverview, just east of Tampa. Since the accident they have been renting out a Tampa apartment.
Sackett said UT helped the family greatly. On Nov. 7 a blood drive in front of John Sykes collected 73 units of blood for Tampa General.
‘I think the blood drive in honor of [her] came across very well. It was a very good turn out,’ said Opladen. ‘Our whole situation has truly been a miracle.’
Due to the excessive amounts of blood that Sackett used from Tampa General, the family wanted a blood drive to be held to’ replenish the blood shortage. That way there would be enough for those who still needed blood.
Sackett still hopes that one day she will be able to re-attend UT.
‘The main concern for her future at the moment is taking it a day at a time. Her wishes are to come back to UT, but she has to finish her rehab. Then we will see what her future holds,’ said Opladen. ‘However, [she] does want everyone to know that she is working hard, recovering well, grateful to the community and missing her friends.’
Opladen wanted to give a special thanks to Dr. Rod J. Plowman, vice president of administration services, President Vaughn, Jim Lennon and all the paramedics and doctors.
‘ ‘[She] wouldn’t be with us today, without their help.’
OTHER SACKETT STORIES FROM THE MINARET’S ONLINE ARCHIVE (Click on Headlines to See Entire Story)