Family, friends rally for Stratford student

Brittany Riffe starts her physical therapy session on her favorite machine.

The 17-year-old Stratford High School senior sits on a cushioned seat while buckling straps on her legs, locking pads near her knees and fastening a belt over her waist. She pushes a lever and the seat slowly rises, gradually bringing her body to an upright position.

Brittany's standing.

She's tall enough to look into other people's eyes, even if only for 13 minutes before she returns to her wheelchair.

Sherry Riffe shed tears the first time she saw her daughter use the standing frame machine.

"I went over and gave her a hug," Riffe said. "It was nice to hug her while we were both standing up."

Until August, Brittany was an active teenager who enjoyed dancing, serving as a student leader at Stratford and carrying flags and performing routines with her school's Winter Guard group. But a car accident only six days before the start of her senior year — while en route to a school orientation program — left her paralyzed.

After weeks of therapy and recovery, Brittany returned to school in time for Stratford's homecoming week. Now, six weeks later, the Riffe family is becoming more accustomed to their new routine.

Brittany's mom, who previously worked the night shift as a respiratory therapist, has switched to a daytime shift at a different medical center so she can be more available for Brittany's needs at night. While Sherry works on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Brittany's uncle, Brent Campbell, brings her to and from physical therapy sessions and doctors' appointments.

The delivery of a custom-made hot pink wheelchair last week lifted everyone's spirits. The wheelchair is smaller, lighter and built to fit Brittany's body. Family members removed the door to Brittany's bedroom because her old wheelchair couldn't fit inside the door frame, leading to a serious lack of privacy. Now, the door is back on and the smaller wheelchair can glide through.

But the new wheelchair came at a cost — $3,000 to be exact. And insurance covered only a third of that.

Brittany's friends at Stratford, led by senior Tyler Boone, have organized a benefit concert at the school tonight to help raise money to pay for some of her medical expenses and continuing care costs. The concert will feature seven bands and donated food and baked goods. Students, teachers, family members and most of the Goose Creek community are expected to pack the place.

"It really means a lot to us," Sherry Riffe said.

Brittany said she plans to thank everyone for coming, but she's unsure about rehashing her accident or talking about her recovery in front of such a large crowd.

"I'm not ready," she said.

But Brittany's not passive during her appointments with MUSC physical therapist Angela Works. She spends an hour several days each week lifting weights, strengthening her abdominal muscles and working on her balance.

While upright on the "standing frame" this week, Works watched as Brittany did arm curls with 5-pound and 8-pound weights. Brittany repeated the motion until she was out of breath.

"How many did I do?" she asked.

"Nine," Works replied.

"That wasn't nine," Brittany exclaimed. "That was 20!"

In just four weeks of working with Brittany, Works said she's already noticed progress. "A lot of people have a hard time with this, but Brittany's doing fantastic," Works said. "She's a role model."

The purchase of a $4,000 home standing frame machine would aid Brittany's recovery, Works said.

Brittany could use the assistive technology every day at home, strengthening her bones, boosting her muscles and allowing her to interact with family members at an eye-level position.

Even without that machine, Brittany and her family remain determined to mark milestones.

She had no feeling anywhere below her chest after the accident, but now Brittany's upper abdominal muscles are working again. She's able to move from her wheelchair into bed and back again on her own. She decided to volunteer with Stratford's Winter Guard team, explaining the movements and routines to younger students as a quasi-coach.

Doctors say there's still hope she'll one day walk again. At tonight's concert, Sherry Riffe is sure her daughter will notice all of her friends dancing to the music.

"Dancing is the one thing that she really wants to do again," Riffe said. "She tells us, 'I will dance again someday.' And with that attitude, I know she will."

Reach Mindy B. Hagen at 937-5433 or mhagen@postandcourier.com.