Special bond Brynn Duncan and her grandma, Linda (Jenkins) Duncan, share a special bond after going through a serious car accident in Fergus Falls together a year ago. The accident left seven-year-old Brynn paralyzed; and both she and Linda spent weeks recovering in hospitals. (Submitted photo) It's been one year since Motley native Linda (Jenkins) Duncan and her granddaughter Brynn Duncan were in a serious car accident that forever changed their lives.

"We have so many friends and relatives in the Motley and Staples area that have been concerned about us; and I want them to know we're doing so much better," Linda, a 1965 graduated of Motley High School, said in a recent phone conversation.

It's been a long haul, though, for the Duncans.

Just seven years old at the time of the accident, Brynn was critically injured and instantly paralyzed when the car her grandmother was driving rolled through an intersection and crashed into a large tree.

"Something went horrendously wrong," Linda said. "Doctors figured I must have blacked out."

Linda, who now lives in Colorado with her husband, Gary, doesn't remember much about that morning shopping trip to Fergus Falls.

"We were just going to

find Brynn some new school

clothes," Linda reminisced. "That's all I remember."

When she regained consciousness, Linda discovered that her collar bone was broken in the accident; and her hips and knees were hurt as well.

Things looked even more grim for Brynn.

"Every organ in Brynn's body was injured except the pancreas. Even the heart and brain were badly bruised and her eyesight was in question just from the impact of the accident," Linda said.

A nurse, who happened to be nearby at the time of the accident, knew immediately that Brynn was paralyzed. "Her back was broken and her spinal cord was severely damaged," Grandma Linda said.

Through the entire ordeal, little Brynn remained conscious and was able to give the first responders all of the emergency information that they needed.

"She's a strong little girl," her grandma said.

Brynn was first taken to the Fergus Falls hospital where she was stabilized; and then flown to Fargo for emergency surgery. Shortly after, she was flown to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for yet another surgery.

"She was in I.C.U. for 30 days of her two month stay at Hennepin," Grandma Linda said, adding that Brynn then spent another month at Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

Because Linda was receiving treatment for her own injuries, Brynn was unable to see her grandmother for weeks.

"I was at the Fargo hospital for 18 days and Brynn was very worried about me," Linda said. "We've always had a special bond; but have gotten even closer throughout this ordeal."

When asked about the accident, Brynn always says, "It's between God, me and Grandma," Linda said.

Brynn is the youngest in a family of five sisters. Her dad, Cody Duncan is deaf. Because they use sign language to communicate, Linda said the family is very thankful Brynn did not lose the use of her arms in the accident.

The Duncans are also grateful to the number of people that offered prayers, sent cards, provided food and financial help for the family. "There have been over 250,000 hits to Brynn's Caring Bridge website, which is amazing," Linda said.

Numerous benefits were held; and as a result a special handicapped-accessible home was created especially for Brynn. "It's called, 'The house that love built,'" Grandma Linda said.

In the midst of a very dark time, there have been blessings along the way; and some good that has come from a terrible ordeal.

" My granddaughter was very instrumental in getting the new 'Brynn Duncan Law' passed," Linda said.

Both Brynn and Linda were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident;

but, Brynn was not in a

child restraint booster seat. "The laws at that time said

car seats were only for kids ages four and under."

That has since changed, thanks to Brynn.

As of this past July 1, all children in Minnesota must use booster seats through age eight or until they are 49 inches tall.

"This little girl never ceases to amaze me," Linda said of her granddaughter, recounting Brynn's trips to the Minnesota Capitol where she met with senators and representatives to make sure her story was told.

Brynn received a personal letter from Gov. Tim Pawlenty praising her involvement and work on the bill; and she also received a hand delivered letter of encouragement from President

George Bush while

she was in the hospital. "She has become quite a

little ambassador," Linda said.

Brynn has been able to

go back to school; and is

getting stronger every day. "She still has a ways to go;

but because of her strong spirit and positive outlook, she has amazed all of us."

Linda put pen to paper recently, reflecting on her granddaughter's courageous spirit.

"Brynn will never run again," Linda wrote, "But she got speeding tickets for going too fast in her wheel chair in hallways at school.

Brynn will never dance again; but she has made up her own special wheelchair dance. You should see her rock...

Brynn will never ice skate again; but she has a special sled she sits in to play sled hockey. She can even score goals.

Brynn will never jump again; but she pops wheelies in her wheelchair.

Brynn will never ride a normal bike again; but she does ride a hand pedal bike and goes like crazy.

Brynn's dream is to be a cowgirl. She now takes horse back riding lessons for handicapped children and loves it."

Yes, it's been a long, hard year for the little girl, Linda says; "but Brynn is a fighter and wants to do everything for herself. She is eager to try anything new; she is a very independent little girl and is always smiling."

It is a miracle she has done so well, Grandma Linda adds.

To read more about Brynn's story, visit www. caringbridge.org/visit/ brynnduncan.