Chelsea Girl
Badly Injured
By Cornelia Cesari
and Sandy Vondrasek Cooch

Morgan Wadkins, a Chelsea High School senior from Washington, was critically injured in a car accident Saturday afternoon on Route 110 just north of Chelsea village.

The teen, airlifted by the DHART helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with spinal injuries, was listed in critical condition yesterday.

State police have not released any details on the accident, which occurred in a stretch of road with some "S" curves. It is known that Wadkins was a passenger in the car.

According to Chelsea Principal Barrett Williams, Wadkins underwent surgery following the accident in an attempt to correct vertebrae and spinal cord injuries.

Plans have been made to transfer her to Spaulding Rehabilitation facility in Massachusetts this weekend, but a "setback" Tuesday night may force a delay, according to her father, Paul Wadkins. At about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Morgan had trouble breathing and had to be put on a respirator, he said.

Wadkins said yesterday, from the hospital, that the family remains hopeful for a full recovery, but that doctors have indicated that there is a "very, very good possibility" that the accident will leave Morgan paralyzed from the chest down.

His daughter, he added, has remained "wonderful and strong" throughout her ordeal, "from the accident scene ‘til now."

Her first words, he said, were, "Dad, I want to graduate with my class."

Wadkins said he, his wife Linda, and the extended family have been overwhelmed by the support and help being offered by students and the community, and the care provided by emergency and medical professionals at DHMC.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock doctors, he noted, interceded on Morgan’s behalf after initial inquiries indicated that the family’s insurance plan would not cover care at the Spaulding Rehab center. Eight weeks of care there has now been approved, he said.

Paul Wadkins noted that he calls Chelsea Principal Williams daily with updates, which are relayed to students.

Students were informed of the accident at a high school assembly Monday, the first school day after the crash. Counselors and staff have been available to students, and the school is prepared to call in outside support if it seems appropriate.

Paul Wadkins spoke at a second somber assembly on Tuesday, updating the students and thanking them for their kind support. He marveled at the support that students have shown.

Principal Williams said a student-generated movement at school quickly sprang into action, with a round of bake sales and planning for other fundraisers.

"They’re amazing," marveled Williams. "They immediately focused on what Morgan would want and need right now: a laptop. They want to be able to stay in touch."

Morgan’s classmates have already opened a savings account in her name and placed in it as an opening deposit, the $150 they raised in a bake sale.

"I am very proud of them for their efforts and the strength they have shown in the past two days," Williams added, "as this really is what defines a small school and its community."

At Tuesday’s soccer game, the team wore red leg bands with Morgan’s jersey number. The school has ordered armbands inscribed with her initials. They will be available for anyone to show their support, and donations are welcomed to set up a fund to help the Wadkins family.

Other fundraisers are in the works. The Barre Elks Club, to which Paul Wadkins belongs, will hold a fundraising dinner Friday, Oct. 26, at the club, which is on Jefferson Street behind Aldrich Library. Those wishing to attend are asked to call, 476-9522, after 2 p.m., to assist with food planning.

The family contact is Mark Vermette, at 685-4451 or 522-0565. Anyone wishing to visit is asked to check with him first for an update on her condition.

A three-sport athlete who has been on varsity teams since her freshman year,

Morgan was in the midst of applying to college when disaster struck last Saturday. Her dad said she had planned to apply on Monday of this week to Champlain College, with the goal of becoming an X-ray technician.

Now, Morgan is facing "a major life change," though she has already firmly expressed her desire to keep up with her studies as she convalesces.

Morgan’s major life change, Wadkins acknowledged, will also result in big changes for the family.

"But, we’re ready for that," he said.