Kids & Family

Hit and Run Victim Makes Small Steps of Progress

In need of additional physical therapy, Shea Shaw's family turns to their community for help.

It has been nearly 16 months since Shea Shaw and her family's lives changed forever.

"Her eyes are much more alive," says her father, Robbie Shaw. "She’s starting to smile, she cries. She’s showing emotion. When I come in through the door, she’s excited. When she hears voices, she smiles. Her tongue is all over the place trying to make words."

These are all big steps for the teen who was fighting for her life just a year ago.

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On Jan. 08, 2011 a 15-year-old Shea was crossing the street, at the intersection of Camden and Bascom avenues . The case is still ongoing.

The Los Gatos High sophomore , and her family picking up the pieces. Instead of a sweet sixteen, the , still in a coma. Shea currently lives with her mother, Cari Shaw and her father, Robbie sees her every week.

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Now, it's prom season and Shea will be celebrating her 17th birthday. are and hope that the community comes out as well.

"Therapy is so key," Shaw says of his daugter's condition. "You have to keep her body working. All her body parts are moving much better. She’s making progress. She hasn’t fallen backwards in any way I can see. They are small baby steps but baby steps forward."

Shea receives an hour a day of speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy but Shaw says that it's not enough, which is why the familiy decided to have a benefit.

"We are trying to raise money for more therapy, to ultimately get her to a facility, like the Kessler Institute that has a 50% wake-up rate," Shaw says. "They teach sign language, flash cards, have hyperbaric chambers,which is good for your brain. We want her to be able to communicate with us because we know she’s trying. And that’s the ultimate goal, to get her to an institution that will benefit her."

The community benefit for Shea takes place Sunday, May 6, noon-6 p.m. at the San Jose Women's Club, 75 S 11th St, San Jose. The event will include live music, BBQ, raffle, silent auction and prizes, including a signed Thomas Kinkade print donated by the local painter prior to his death. You can purchase tickets here.

Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank to the and will specifically assist Shea's family with her medical bills.

For more information, visit Angels for Shea on facebook.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to contact San Jose Police Department at 408-409-5339.


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