Back to work
Woman recovers from accident and returns to salon
Staff writer
Callie Peterson has been through a lot in the past eight months.
The young mother of two and Marion business owner was in a serious car crash Feb. 22 that nearly claimed her life.
It’s been a long road to recover with numerous surgeries and a few setbacks but Peterson has been determined to come back 100 percent.
Her injuries included a deep head laceration to the skull, a broken neck which required two vertabrae to be fused, a broken collar bone, two broken hips, a broken pelvis, two broken knees, a broken ankle, collapsed lung, a lacerated liver and spleen, and internal bleeding. Peterson said she was told she had stopped breathing three times while in flight to Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.
After nearly six weeks at the Wichita hospital and St. Luke Hospital, Marion, she went to the home of her brother, Seth Larson, and his family to convalesce.
During that time, she was confined to a wheel chair, finally being able to start using a walker in May. After countless hours of physical therapy, Peterson was walking on her own by summer.
“It will take a couple of years before I’m fully recovered,” Peterson said.
Peterson and her two sons, Justin and Jacob, are living on their own again in rural Marion.
Shortly after some screws were removed from her injured ankle, the ankle re-broke, leaving Peterson in a cast.
She knows she may be doing a bit too much too soon (horseback riding, etc., etc.), but Peterson’s not the kind of person to stay down — at least not for long. That same attitude has helped her to recover miraculously well.
“My doctor is pleased with my recovery. He knows how eager I am to get on with my life and do the things I used to do,” she said.
Peterson realizes she will not be able to return to the rigors of ranch rodeo. These days she watches her sons compete in rodeo events.
However, she is doing most of the things she wants to do, including returning to the profession she loves.
It’s been tough since she’s been back in the downtown shop. Business has been slow. Many of Peterson’s clients have gone on to other hairdressers and salons, some unaware that Peterson is back.
Two other hair stylists who work for Peterson, kept the doors open in her absence which she appreciates.
Peterson remains optimistic but realizes it may take some time to rebuild her business.
That’s OK. She knows each day is a gift, and enjoys and appreciates life’s blessings.