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Girl hit by car starts to talk after unconscious for days

By Alison Grande
By Alison Grande
The 11-year-old is showing amazing progress after being hit by a car on her way to school near Auburn two weeks ago.

KIRO 7 was invited into Nichols' hospital room at Harborview Medical Center to see how the little girl is recovering.

An 11-year-old girl who was hit on her way to school in Auburn earier this month met with Alison Grande to show her amazing recovery. >> kiro.tv/IllaRecovering

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Nichols suffered a traumatic brain injury. She is working with physical therapists and speech therapists and uses hand signals to communicate. But just recently she started to talk, saying a few words including her name, her mother's name and "love you."
“It’s the exact same smile. Then to hear her voice, “ said Jennifer Nichols, Illa’s mother, “We didn’t know if she would talk, we didn’t know if she would walk.”
Nichols was even able to walk down the hall with the help of a physical therapist. Her mom said she is able to text with her left hand.
“She’s a very strong girl, she’s a fighter and she’ll be back to sassiness as soon as they can get her there, “ said Jennifer Nichols, “Are you sassy?” she asked Illa. Illa gave her a “thumbs up”.

>> Related: Girl hit on her way to school shows improvement

Nichols was crossing the street near Camelot Elementary, on her way to Kilo Middle School, when she was hit by a car. Investigators say it was an accident. The angle of the sun made it difficult for the 17-year-old driver, who happens to be Nichols' neighbor, to see her.
There is a fundraiser at Camelot Elementary School on October 10 through 13. The school is collecting clothing, toys, and kitchen items (no furniture). The goods will go to Value Village and then a donation will be made back to Illa and her family.

Harborview Medical Center is the only level 1 trauma center in the region for adults and children.  Nichols was in critical condition when she was airlifted to Harborview, she's now in satisfactory condition.

Nichols is expected to move to Seattle Childrens' Hospital on Friday where she is expected to spend the next four months recovering.
“Just keep praying for her, positive thoughts,” said Illa’s mom, “Because we do have a long road ahead of us.”
To help the Nichols family, donate here.

Cox Media Group

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