Kenny proof that miracles do happen

Marg Kenny is able to hold her grandchild and enjoy beautiful prairie sunsets thanks to STARS.

"I thank God and all the men and women who were instrumental in saving my life," said Kenny in a presentation at City council's Aug. 7 committee of the whole meeting.

"I am proof that miracles do happen."

Kenny had her STARS experience Jan. 7, 2010, when she was visiting the site where she and her husband of now 40 years were building a house on the banks of the Battle River, near Camrose. As she was leaving to go back to Edmonton, her truck somehow started to roll backwards and plummeted into a valley 200 feet below.

"I have no memory of this horrific accident," said Kenny. "I apparently found my cell phone and pushed the redial button, which just happens to be my husband's office in Edmonton. I told him I didn't know where I was and that there was blood and that the truck had rolled over."

Kenny's husband quickly relayed the message to the homebuilder, Mark, who thought he might be able to find Marg somewhere along Highway 13, near the Gwynne Valley. Just as he was getting ready to drive there he heard the barking of dogs, who were able to lead him to the mangled vehicle.

"It was minus 17°C, the wind was howling, and the snow in the valley was up to chest level," said Kenny.

A call to 9-1-1 resulted in the immediate dispatch of STARS, as well as the Camrose RCMP detachment, Camrose EMS and Camrose Fire Department, who stomped down the snow to create a landing area.

"STARS landed about fifty metres from the truck," said Kenny. "The Jaws of Life were used to open the cab and free me, and an EMS paramedic used her body heat to keep me from freezing."

Kenny was flown to the University of Alberta Hospital where she was diagnosed has having a broken neck, fractured in six places, an unstable C2 vertebrae, a fractured back, six fractured ribs, a fractured sternum (close to the heart), a blown out left knee, a smashed ankle, and many bruises. A week later she underwent reconstruction survey for the knee and the ankle.

"Miraculously I had no internal bleeding, no brain damage and no spinal cord damage," said Kenny. "This alone is a testimony of the men and women of Camrose and STARS who, with God's help, performed the most outstanding, highly skilled, high performance rescue."

After three months in the hospital Kenny was discharged in a wheelchair, a clamshell, a neck brace and a leg brace. She credits the unconditional love and support of her husband, her four children and their families, dear friends, and the power of prayer for keeping her going.

Councillor Brandon Blatz said he visited the site the day after the accident happened and couldn't believe that anyone could have survived such a fall.

"Hauling her up the cliff would have been almost impossible."

Kenny said people who support STARS are making miracles like hers possible.

"When you see STARS up in the sky realize there is a critical person in there and there is hope that they can have a second chance at life. A life to love again, like me."