Hannah Britton and her boyfriend, Broc Stoddard, were driving near Rigby, Idaho, when an approaching driver lost control of his car, drove through the median, and crashed head-on into Hannah's vehicle. Tragically, Broc died at the scene. After being rushed to a local hospital, Hannah was airlifted to University of Utah Hospital.
Hannah's injuries were severe. A traumatic brain injury, a pelvic fracture, a fractured femur, and spinal fractures.
The list fills a page, with a total of 23 broken bones and nine life-saving surgeries in nine days.
For Hannah, the realization of her accident came in waves, through the fog of her trauma.
“I remember getting what I thought was an x-ray for my broken pelvis. And they said, ‘No, today we're going to x-ray your back in four places.’”
Hannah was treated by Derrick B. Allred, MD, brain injury medical director at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. She spent 22 days there, working with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Devyn Langille, Hannah’s occupational therapist, helped Hannah regain independence with everyday tasks like brushing her teeth and getting dressed.
Through it all, Hannah was in a wheelchair—she wasn’t able to use a walker until November, when her pelvis was scheduled to be set in place.
“Devyn was incredible,” Hannah said. “She took such wonderful care of me. The entire Neilsen staff were always bending over backwards to make sure I was happy. They are angels in my life.”
For Devyn, Hannah was the perfect patient. “Hannah is a fighter. She had a great attitude and was super-motivated. Having her family present also made a huge difference in her recovery. Family support really leads to better outcomes.”
Hannah says, “I never thought I'd be where I am today. I'm at a point where I can move forward in life!” She’s also adamant about not wanting to “keep living in my tragedy.”
Prior to her accident, Hannah was a bodybuilder. “I needed to get back to life, especially to the gym.”
Today, Hannah is in school at BYU-Idaho, where she’s finishing her communications degree.
Hannah is a force of nature.
Don't bet against her.