DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. -- After 57 days, Katy Daniel is out of the hospital and back home with her parents after being severely injured on Mother's Day, during a farming accident.
"To see her let those happy tears go, that was really overwhelming," said her brother Kyle Daniel.
Katy's pony tail was caught in an auger that was attached to the back of a tractor. The injury resulted in Katy losing her scalp and she had to endure five surgeries at VCU Medical Center, with more to come over the next several years.
Katy Daniel
"Wonderful," said Katy's father Pete Daniel, as tears filled his eyes, talking about having his daughter back home.
"It's been a tough row to hoe buddy, it's been a long rough road," he said about his daughter's road to recovery.
It will be a long time before Katy's wound heals and part of her therapy will involve Ginger, her horse.
Katy was working on building a fence to keep in her horse when the accident happened.
The freak farming accident has inspired generosity from all over her community.
Volunteers from across Dinwiddie County showed up at her house after the accident and not only completed the fence but built a horse barn as well.
Central Virginia Horse Rescue donated a horse to Katy's twin sister Taylor, so the pair can ride together as part of her therapy.
Katy Daniel and Ginger
Long time family friend Jackie Gibbs says "They still need lots of prayers and that's always first and foremost."
Pete said the family is overwhelmed by the prayers and support of Dinwiddie, the Tri Cities, Virginia and abroad.
"Thank you, thank you, it was a life changing event for us, it brought us closer together as a family, it's overwhelming. A thank you just doesn't seem enough" he said.
As for Katy's future, her brother Kyle says it looks brighter than ever.
"She's Katy Strong, she can overcome these obstacles, I mean look how far she's come in nine weeks," he said. "I know we've got years in the making but if she can do these nine weeks this good, I ain't worried about it."
