Iowa athlete sidelined by blood clot inspires team of doctors

HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN 2024. JAS:ME 19-YEAR-OLD CARLY STEVENSON FROM CHARLES CITY WAS ON A NORMAL CAMPING TRIP WITH HER FAMILY LAST SUMMER WHEN ESH STARTED TO FEEL SICK AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. MONTHS LATER, SHE HAS NOT RETURNED HOME. BEAU BOWMAN SHOWS AS HER FIGHT TO SURVIVE WHEN NO ONE, NOT EVEN A PRIT,ES THOUGHT SHE HAD A CHANCE. >> THERE IS A CLERGY SITTING IN OUR ROOM AND TDOL US TYHE WERE DOING LIFE-SAVING MEASURES AND SHE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. >> THAT IS THE MESSAGE DOCTORS TOLD MICHELLE STEVENSON AND HER FAMILY AFTER THEIR DAUGHTER SUFFERED A BLOOD CLOT LAST JULY. A MONTH AGO -- A MONTH BEFORE, SHE WAS TO START HER FRESHMAN YEAR ON THE TCKRA TEAM AS A THROWER. EVEN THOUGH SHE NEVER MADE IT TO CAMPUS, HER COACH ENTER AMMATETES STILL KEEP A SPOT ON THE ROSTER OPEN FOR HER. HER MOTHER SAYS THAT IS WHAT NOW INSPIRES HER IN HER PHYSICAL THERAPINY ANKENY. >> IT HAS KICKED IN AND SHE HAS PUSHING HERSELF BECAUSE SHE IS NOT HAPPY WHERE SHE IS SO I KNOW SHE IS GOING TO KEEP PROGRESSING. >> SHE HAS AN INNATE DRIVE THAT I THINK HAS GOTTE HNER TO WHERE SHISE NOW IN HER REHAB PROCESS. >> THIS IS HER WEIGHT OMRO HER NEW COACHES, THE OCCUPATIALON THERASTS, WORK WITH HER DAILY. HER DOCTORS WOULD BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU HOW HARD SHE IS WORKING. >> SHE USES HER WHOLE BODY. SHE IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. SHE WANTS TO DO MORE. >> HER STRIVEOR F SELF-IMPROVEMENT IS OBVIOUS. WHETHER IT IS THRONGWI SHOT OR KEEPING HER HEAD UP, THE DEDICATION IS WHAT HER MOMAY SS KEPT HER ALIVE WHEN NOT EVEN ETH SURGEONS EXPECTED HER TO LIVE. >> SHE IS SUCH A DRIVEN PERSON AND SHE IS AMAZI.NG THE WORLD NEEDS MEOR CARLYS. JAMES: A FAMILY FRIEND CREATED A FACEOKBO PAGE DOCUMENTING HER TIME. THEY ALSO HAVE A GOFUNDME AND OTHER LOCAL FUNDRAISERS. TH

The story of a Charles City teenager whose world turned upside down just a month before her college athletics career was set to start is a story of perseverance.Carly Stevenson was rushed to the hospital with a blood clot a month before her first day of class at Wartburg College. She was all set to throw shot put and discus for the college track team.Doctors thought it was dire. In fact, they told her family to start preparing for the worst. But they kept their faith. She's now in recovery in Ankeny, working with occupational therapists at On With Life.Every day, they work to improve her balance, head control, hand and arm movements and communication skills. But it’s her team of doctors who have found themselves inspired by her desire to progress. "If you look at her story from start to finish you know. As she's growing up and going through sports and playing at like an elite level, it's kind of easy to look back at her story now and feel sad about it. But I think she really has come over so many things it is really a story about hope," occupational therapist Samantha Williams said.Her mom said she still has a spot on Wartburg's team and that her coaches and teammates still keep in touch with her. A family friend has started a Facebook page and a Go Fund Me page — Carly's Fight — for people who want to keep up with her journey through rehabilitation.Carly's mom said friends and family have donated more than $30,000.

ANKENY, Iowa —

The story of a Charles City teenager whose world turned upside down just a month before her college athletics career was set to start is a story of perseverance.

Carly Stevenson was rushed to the hospital with a blood clot a month before her first day of class at Wartburg College. She was all set to throw shot put and discus for the college track team.

Doctors thought it was dire. In fact, they told her family to start preparing for the worst.

But they kept their faith. She's now in recovery in Ankeny, working with occupational therapists at On With Life.

Every day, they work to improve her balance, head control, hand and arm movements and communication skills.

But it’s her team of doctors who have found themselves inspired by her desire to progress.

"If you look at her story from start to finish you know. As she's growing up and going through sports and playing at like an elite level, it's kind of easy to look back at her story now and feel sad about it. But I think she really has come over so many things it is really a story about hope," occupational therapist Samantha Williams said.

Her mom said she still has a spot on Wartburg's team and that her coaches and teammates still keep in touch with her.

A family friend has started a Facebook page and a Go Fund Me page — Carly's Fight — for people who want to keep up with her journey through rehabilitation.

Carly's mom said friends and family have donated more than $30,000.

Iowa athlete sidelined by blood clot inspires team of doctors

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