WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsTeagan Marti returns to Madison, walking after thrill ride accident

MADISON (WKOW) -- Nineteen months after Florida teenager Teagan Marti fell 100 feet at a Lake Delton thrill ride in a life-threatening accident, Marti walked at Madison's American Family Children's Hospital as her mother praised the facility's work and urged support for the hospital's planned expansion.

"I'm certain that my child would not be alive if she had not been able to come to this phenomenal facility," Julie Marti said.

Fourteen-year-old Teagan Marti used a walker to negotiate the hospital hallways. Julie Marti said Teagan has made an incredible recovery from the accident and has a goal of walking unassisted. Julie Marti said she hoped her daughter would attend high school later this year, after doing online course work since the July 2010 accident.

At the time of the accident, an amusement park worker failed to signal to deploy a safety next, and released the girl from the ride Terminal Velocity to a free fall to the ground. That worker, Charles Carnell was convicted of a felony reckless injury crime. Julie Marti said UW Med Flight's helicopter transport of her daughter from the accident scene was crucial.

Marti said a medical decision in the immediate aftermath of the accident to avoid a complete spinal fusion surgery on Teagan allowed the teen to regain range of motion that would not have been possible otherwise. Marti also noted Teagan Marti stretched, but did not sever her spinal chord, allowing the girl the possibility of walking.

"(One doctor) Told me it was unlikely she would walk again," said Julie Marti. "And she proved him wrong. She's proved a lot of people wrong."

Teagan Marti has progressed from complete immobility, to a wheelchair and to a walker.

"She's just come a long, long way and she's continuing to make strides," Julie Marti said.

Marti said her daughter's speech was unaffected by the traumatic fall, but said Teagan is shy in public. Marti also said Teagan suffered no brain damage.

Marti said despite her daughter's progress, Marti is urging representatives of Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield to reverse decisions ending the girl's physical therapy insurance coverage so Teagan can use continued therapy to improve balance and attempt activities such as swimming. Medicaid officials and Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives were unavailable for comment Monday.

Marti said it was important to emphasize to the Madison community the hospital's value and needs. Hospital officials said demand for critical care bed space has grown increasingly since the hospital's opening four years ago and said the planned expansion would add more than two dozen beds in that category.

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MADISON (WKOW) - The 14-year-old girl critically injured at an amusement park in Wisconsin Dells will be in Madison Monday.

Teagan Marti will be at the American Family Children's Hospital where she spent more than one month recovering. Her family is expected to update the public about her recovery.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the hospital will undergo a major expansion that will begin later this year. This includes a surgical neonatal intensive care unit. The State Journal reports there is expected to be a $16.4 million dollar fundraising campaign.

Marti was as the hospital after her July 2010 accident. She fell 100 feet to the ground on an amusement park ride. She broke her spine and pelvis.

At the he news conference Monday, hospital officials will discuss Teagan's recovery process and the hospital's expansion plans.

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MADISON (WKOW) --  American Family Children's Hospital announced plans Saturday for a $32 million expansion, during a Friends of UW Hospital and Clinics gala benefit.

A UW Hospitals spokesperson told our news gathering partners at the Wisconsin State Journal construction is expected to begin later this year, and will include a surgical neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric imaging suite, cardiac categorization lab and two more operating rooms.

There will be a $16.4 million fundraising campaign, along with a $15.6 million commitment from the hospital.

American Family children's hospital has scheduled a 10:30 a.m. Monday news conference in the hospital lobby to talk about the expansion plans.