KING FERRY - Marjorie Gulbe rode an emergency helicopter to a Syracuse hospital after her automobile was struck and pushed off the road.
Two years later, after she endured hospital and nursing home care, she finally came home.
Doctors gave the 89-year-old permission to return to her King Ferry house earlier this month.
Gulbe sat in a recliner in her living room last week, gazing out the window to the view of her snow-covered yard that she dreamed of seeing again while in the hospital.
Even with replaced knee caps, metal in her legs and a reattached foot, Gulbe was grateful.
“It's just wonderful to be home again,” Gulbe said.
On March 19, 2005, Gulbe was driving northbound on Route 90 in King Ferry at about 8:30 a.m. on her way to deliver cookies to her daughter and son-in-law living in Auburn.
While she was driving, another vehicle struck the four-door vehicle driven by Gulbe, forcing it into a ditch.
Gulbe was severely injured. Both of Gulbe's legs were badly wounded and her foot was severely sliced. She was taken to Syracuse's University Hospital by helicopter.
She remained in the hospital unconscious for three weeks while doctors fixed her legs and attached her foot back to her body.
Gulbe next moved to Auburn Nursing Home, but she continued to travel to the Syracuse hospital for medical procedures.
After 19 months in the home, she moved to Northbrook Heights, Auburn, where doctors told her she couldn't leave unless she found someone to stay with her in her home. Luckily, Gulbe said, a friend volunteered.
Her injuries remain, causing mobility problems. Physical therapists told Gulbe she would never be able to walk again, but Gulbe pushed through and now she gets around with the help of a walker and special protective boots.
Above all else, coming home is what Gulbe fought for while recovering from the accident.
“I couldn't have done it without my friends. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time,” Gulbe said. “It was exhausting with all the excitement. I'm just very thankful to be home and still with two feet.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
Doctors gave the 89-year-old permission to return to her King Ferry house earlier this month.
Gulbe sat in a recliner in her living room last week, gazing out the window to the view of her snow-covered yard that she dreamed of seeing again while in the hospital.
Even with replaced knee caps, metal in her legs and a reattached foot, Gulbe was grateful.
“It's just wonderful to be home again,” Gulbe said.
On March 19, 2005, Gulbe was driving northbound on Route 90 in King Ferry at about 8:30 a.m. on her way to deliver cookies to her daughter and son-in-law living in Auburn.
While she was driving, another vehicle struck the four-door vehicle driven by Gulbe, forcing it into a ditch.
Gulbe was severely injured. Both of Gulbe's legs were badly wounded and her foot was severely sliced. She was taken to Syracuse's University Hospital by helicopter.
She remained in the hospital unconscious for three weeks while doctors fixed her legs and attached her foot back to her body.
Gulbe next moved to Auburn Nursing Home, but she continued to travel to the Syracuse hospital for medical procedures.
After 19 months in the home, she moved to Northbrook Heights, Auburn, where doctors told her she couldn't leave unless she found someone to stay with her in her home. Luckily, Gulbe said, a friend volunteered.
Her injuries remain, causing mobility problems. Physical therapists told Gulbe she would never be able to walk again, but Gulbe pushed through and now she gets around with the help of a walker and special protective boots.
Above all else, coming home is what Gulbe fought for while recovering from the accident.
“I couldn't have done it without my friends. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time,” Gulbe said. “It was exhausting with all the excitement. I'm just very thankful to be home and still with two feet.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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