Darcie Statham had a regular childhood until she turned 14, when she began to have blinding headaches. Over the next few years her health got worse. "When I was 17," she said, "a doctor sat me down and told me I'd never walk again. Ever. He's crazy, I thought, but two months later I was in a wheelchair."

When Darcie turned 19, she was moved into a long-term care facility for the terminally ill in Westlock. Muscle relaxants for the chronic pain in her legs left her unable to speak. In just five short years, Darcie had gone from being a healthy teenager to someone who couldn't walk, talk,feed or dress herself, or go to the bathroom on her own.

For the next two years Darcie begged to be moved from the long-term care facility. "I hated it there," she said. "I was in constant pain and the nurses were so busy they had little time to care me. And I just about starved there. I was still a teenager and I needed a lot more food than they were giving me. When I got down to 79 pounds, someone finally noticed. When I was put back on solid food, I gained 40 pounds."

Eventually, with the help and support of her family, Darcie moved into a group home. She lived there with two other people and had constant care. Instead of being completely bedridden, she was able to go out shopping and to movies with her support workers.

Years passed. At the age of 25, Darcie began taking a food supplement that a nurse recommended. It seemed to make her feel better. "One day I noticed I could move a finger on my left hand," she said. "Then I could move an arm. My mobility slowly improved until one day I could feed myself again." Amazingly, Darcie's health continued to improve. Learning to dress herself again was a big deal. "I was so excited!" she said. "I could pick my own clothes."

Darcie is now 29. Two years ago she stopped wearing diapers. The miracles continue in her life, but Darcie has also worked hard to regain her health. She can now talk and be understood by others. But perhaps the most amazing change was that Darcie learned how to walk again. "It took a long time,"she said, "but now I can walk on my own for short distances outside, and I take the bus downtown all by myself."

In many ways, Darcie feels that she's been reborn. "All those thingsI missed when I was younger," she says, "I'm now able to do." Like having a boyfriend. Last year, Darcie met a man who makes her very happy. "He takes me out for supper and he buys me presents," she reports happily."And every Thursday night we go dancing."

For Darcie, getting better has involved a lot of willpower, a lot of prayer, and the love and support of her family. "When I was 19," she said,"a doctor sat me down and told me I only had one year to live. After awhile,I just didn't listen anymore. I kind of did my own thing. If I'd listened to the doctors, I'd still be in a wheelchair, and I wouldn't be talking."

Darcie continues to do her own thing. And that includes visiting the elderly and sick people at the long-term care facility where she was once a patient.

But what does her future hold? "Every time I turn around there's something new," she says. Recently, Darcie got a job at the Royal Bank where she'll be trained as a teller. "I'll be making more money than I've ever made in my life!" she boasts. "And I just got my own apartment. I'll have full-time care, but it's the first time since I was 15 that I'll have a place of my own."

Yes, the miracles continue. "I'm not running yet," Darcie says, "but I can ride horses now, and I'm hoping to learn how to drive soon." Given how much and how quickly her life has changed, no doubt we will her behind the wheel of a car soon.

Darcie updated her information in November 2002. She says, "I have been talking for a year and a half. I am starting an advocacy group called 'Friend's First.'"

Darcie has a memory book with 40 pages of pictures that document her recovery. "I'm in a whole different world now," she explains. "When I look at the pictures of me when I was so sick I think, - Wow.' I just thank God everyday. I almost died three times, but He's not finished with me. I think He's got a lot in store for me yet."