HAMPTON — Myla Gott's dad spent the night of what was supposed to be his daughter's graduation the way he has spent the last 139 days, by her bedside praying she makes a complete recovery.

"It's rough," said a teary-eyed Bill Gott, who noted Winnacunnet High School has set aside a cap and gown for Myla. "We don't talk about graduation in front of her because we don't want to upset her.

"Her biggest dream was to graduate from high school," Gott said, "but she will graduate and she will go on to college."

Gott said Myla has progressed "leaps and bounds" since the Jan. 28 motor vehicle accident on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth that, at one point, left her in coma. No longer in a coma, Gott said his daughter was recently transferred to Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, N.H.

Gott said his daughter, who suffered an injury to her brain in the accident, is at times very aware of what is going on around her and other times appears to be stuck in a semi-conscience state.

"The doctor is pleased with the progress, but it's going to be a long road ahead," Gott said. "One neurologist told me as long as there are improvements there will be continued improvements. It's when you reach a plateau that you begin to worry."

Gott said his daughter can indicate "yes" and "no," and recognizes friends and family when they come to visit.

She has also received, he said, a reputation of being one of the hardest workers in rehab.

"It will take her a good part of the year, but she should make a good recovery," Gott said. "I'm confident Myla will make a full recovery. Myla's personality is there."

Gott said just the other day he came into her room at Crotched Mountain with a Coffee Colada and Myla started to reach for his straw to take a sip.

"That's Myla right there," Gott said. "She wanted the Coffee Colada."

But, he said, the more aware his daughter becomes, the more frustrated she gets at times.

"I think she feels like she is trapped," Gott said. "When she is aware, she sometimes gets very emotional.

"It's a positive time seeing the improvements, but it's frustrating seeing her get so upset," he said. "Myla was such a fun loving person. No one deserves to be in this position in life."

Gott has been at her daughter's side since the night of the accident. Every day he gets his two other children, Myla's younger siblings, off to school then makes the 1½ hour drive to Greenfield to see Myla.

He stays with his daughter until she falls asleep, and then goes home and prepares to do it all over again the next day.

"I don't think people understand that in a brain-recovery situation, friends and relatives are just as an important stimulus as the drugs they give you," Gott said. "By being there, it gives her a reason and a confidence to come out of this entrapment.

"That's why I'm with Myla everyday," he said. "I'm committed to giving her a reason to recover, and I will be there as long as it takes and telling her that she is going to get better."

Gott admits it been hard on the other two kids, but said they understand.

"They know if it was them, I would be there," Gott said. "Everyone says 'don't forget to take care of yourself.' I appreciate that, but my first priority is my children.

"Children don't ask to be here," he said. "We brought them here."

The one comfort, Gott said, continues to be the outpouring of support from the community. Myla's friends as well as complete strangers have come forward to raise funds for her ongoing medical expenses.

"We're blessed to have the support of so many people," he said.

Gott said Myla constantly stares at the many pictures and cards that were sent from her classmates over the last five months.

"She misses her friends," Gott said.

Gott said he often questions why this happened. His daughter was on the honor roll and was looking forward to attending George Mason University in the fall.

"I wish I had my whole family together right here," Gott said. "I wish I could wind the clock back to the Jan. 27 (the day before the accident), but you can't do those things."


source : http://www.seacoastonline.com