DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Candi Spraggins bristles at her online statistics course for college, but overcoming obstacles is in her DNA.
On a rural, windy road in Dinwiddie, Spraggins' minivan crashed into a field on Jan. 19, 2013. Her vehicle rolled twice and she was ejected.
Neighbors called Dinwiddie Fire Department and they responded within minutes.
A MedFlight helicopter with paramedics and nurses aboard touched down at the crash scene. In Candi's case seconds mattered. Fifteen minutes later, Spraggins arrived at VCU Medical Center suffering from life-threatening injuries.
A team of nearly 100 worked feverishly to save her, but doctors were not sure she was going to pull through.
“She was dying before our eyes," surgeon Dr. Stephanie Goldberg said. “She had broken bones in her pelvis, injuries to her intestines, injuries to her extremities, injuries to her chest.”
Long battles with infections and organ failures kept Spraggins from recovering, but the married mother of one would not surrender.
"It was the worst pain I ever had in my life," Spraggins said. "I kept picturing my husband and daughter and I knew I had to fight for them."
Through it all her high school sweetheart, Reggie, was confident.
"I knew in the back of my mind everything was going to be OK with her," Reggie said.
After several surgeries and countless hours in physical therapy, Spraggins left the hospital grateful for the care and love shown by loved ones and strangers alike.
"I am going to pray for them because I know they were praying for me to make it through," Spraggins said.
As for those numbers she frowned upon in class? She has gained a new appreciation for them and is happy she is not a statistic.
"You don't get many second chances and I was thankful to get a second chance," she said.
Spraggins will have an opportunity to meet her lifesavers on Saturday night where VCU Medical Center will honor the medical professionals and first responders at the Shining Knight Gala at the Jefferson Hotel.
Spraggins has a busy year planned. She is slated to finish her degree in criminal justice and renew her wedding vows with her husband.
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