FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā Six-year-old Memphis Rose Hamman has a long road to recovery ahead of her.
She flew out Thursday to Philadelphia where sheāll begin an rigorous rehabilitation regime. But sheāll have a helping hand or a helping paw.
Several South Florida foundations like Chasinā a Dream Foundation and Furry Friends adoption teamed up to provide Memphis with a service puppy named Juliet. While Memphis focuses on rehab at Shriners Childrenās Hospital, Juliet the puppy will spend a year in service dog boot camp.
Juliet will be taught to pick up things Memphis drops, open doors, turn lights switches on and off.
āItās like theyāve been best friends forever they met two weeks ago and theyāve seen each other frequently since then.
The little girl is paralyzed from the neck down after surviving a devastating June 7 car crash in Wellington. Her grandmother was injured and her grand uncle was killed in the crash.
Memphis is very anxious, said her mother, Gayrene Meade: āThis is her first time being in any kind of moving vehicle since the accident.ā
Kenneth Graden, the girlās great uncle, was killed in the crash near Lake Worth Road when a driver crossed the median and hit their car head-on.
āItās always just been her and me and itās been difficult, but weāre making it work,ā Meade said.
Trinity Air Ambulance donated the flight and crew and will fly the family from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to Philadelphia, so Memphis, her mom and Juliet can fly out to start the rehabilitation journey.
āAqua therapy in the water, cranial therapy, which will allow her to walk with robotic legs,ā Meade said.
There have been many contributions and assistance for Memphis and her mom to fly out to start rehab Thursday, but the familyās medical bills are sky high.
If youād like to help, thereās a Go Fund Me page set up for Memphis. Click here for more information.