When Taylor Fiddyment, 17, laid down on the dirt after a four-wheel quad had just slammed into her back, reality turned into a dreamlike haze. Her body was cold, but her legs felt like they were in warm water. Taylor went into shock, but instead of giving into a rising panic, she cried out to God and heard back clearly, ‘I got you.’
Taylor was camping with some family friends in Hungry Valley, just outside of Reno, on Memorial Day weekend when her and a friend went out on four-wheel quads for the day. Taylor took a bank turn high when the wheels of the quad caught the edge of the berm and the vehicle lost its balance, throwing Taylor off the quad and down the mound. Taylor landed with her back facing the quad just before the vehicle rolled down the bank and hit her in the middle of her spine.
Careflight took Taylor directly to Renown in Reno. The next morning she had emergency surgery on her spine. The accident severely damaged Taylor’s T-11/T-12 vertebrae and doctors gave her a grim prognosis that she would never walk again.
An artist, musician, senior at Forest Charter School, and active Truckee teenage girl, Taylor’s life changed in an instant. Every day is a new challenge, she said. But surrounded by a community full of love and support, and standing on her rock-solid faith in God, Taylor is determined to walk again.
‘He’s [God] just given me a peace about this whole thing. It’s crazy,’ Taylor said. ‘I’ve mourned my legs already. It’s time to dust myself off and get going. It’s not to prove anything to anyone … It’s because I love God.’
Taylor’s mom, Tami, and her father and two younger brothers rushed down to Reno to meet Taylor as soon as they got word of her accident. Tami has also been taking Taylor to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Sacramento, a facility specializing in burn victims as well as spinal cord injuries. Taylor has already spent a month at Shriners undergoing initial rehab, and she’ll be visiting the center again for two weeks at the end of August.
‘She’s a very determined young lady. She’s always had a very independent spirit,’ said Tami. ‘In this particular case, I really think that’s going to help her persevere.’
But it’s still an uphill road for Taylor. When she goes back to Shriners, doctors will be testing her for electrical stimulation, a process that will move her muscles and help keep muscle atrophy at bay. If doctors approve Taylor for the therapy, she’ll be a candidate to get an electrical stimulation bicycle, which could play a significant role in Taylor’s rehab. To help purchase the bicycle and raise funds for rehab, a group of Taylor’s close friends and family are organizing a benefit, Pray for Tay, on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Truckee Regional Park.
‘We’re in awe and overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received from this community,’ Tami said. ‘I’ve seen it happen for other people, but it’s far different when you’re on the receiving end. It’s very humbling and it’s overwhelming. It’s beautiful to see what this community can do.’
Local businesses have donated prizes for a silent auction to be held at the benefit, restaurants have given food, and a handful of local bands have donated their talent. The High Fives Foundation has also been in touch with Taylor, answering questions and looking into possible grants that would get her on the snow this winter. The tight-knit community surrounding Taylor, and the encouraging reinforcement everyone has given her will go a long ways, said Roy Tuscany, High Fives founder who has also suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury.
‘They give a lot of positive reinforcement,’ Tuscany said. ‘The biggest thing that you always need to focus on is maintaining a positive mindset. You can never let it [the injury] get the best of you.’
Standing on her faith, family, and friends, Taylor is definitely staying positive.
‘She’s just waiting to see what God’s going to do with this,’ Tami said. ‘And that’s her heart. She has a very strong faith.’
