a phone call to wish them happy Valentine's Day. The first thing she told her parents was she wanted more makeup.

Trammell told The News that in all her years working with residents who have suffered a head injury, Sarah was the first to recover speech and the forming of words.

They began teaching her to add emotion to her speech. She went through intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy, which helped her to control her arms and legs. That eventually would progress to feeding herself.

New memories

Sarah's best friend since junior high, Lori McConnell Shockley, said the two had a “golden plan” as they began HCC together. Lori was walking in front of Sarah the night of the accident. She saw the car coming and moved out of the way.The tragic accident left Lori with nightmares, as well as deep feelings of guilt because she would go on with her life while her best friend stagnated.

Over the years, Lori, who lives in Kansas City, remained a faithful friend. Once Sarah began talking and communicating, Lori felt relief. She noticed her nightmares subsided.

“She would brighten the room when I came in,” Lori said. “I wish people would have known her before. We were two peas in a pod. She was the good to my bad: She was always the nice one. “

Just several weeks before her death, Jim Scantlin had a good visit with his sister.

“We hung out a lot and had a nice weekend,” he said.

Sarah died of respiration issues and failing blood pressure.

Though she thought of