A search for the life-saving team: Kaylee Taylor’s recovery after crash near Hawley

CLYDE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — After more than three weeks in the hospital and 11 surgeries, Kaylee Taylor has finally returned home, faced with life-altering adjustments. Since her accident on March 17th, Taylor's day-to-day life looks different. She recounts the day of the accident, although some spots are a blur to her. "We were just supposed to go get our friend from work, and then on the way back home is when the blowout happened," Taylor recalled. The blowout caused the car to roll, and after everything settled, Taylor said that was when she saw her new reality. "At first, I look over and my arms go. I'm like, okay, okay. Then I look down. My leg is like, messed up," Taylor explained. "The doctors told my friend that they needed to talk to a priest because I didn't know if I was going to make it or not." She was stabilized at Hendrick Medical Center, then care-flighted to Fort Worth for further care. Her support system was with her every step of the way, including her aunt, Shannon Phillips. Phillips said seeing her niece in the hospital was a rough time. "The pain and the medication were horrific. She was angry, scared and in a lot of pain," Phillips said. "She got lots of surgeries that she would just get so tired, like she would get a day rest in between, and then they wanted to do surgery again. So, it was really brutal, but once she got past it and the pain let up a little bit, that girl, she's been strong-willed and determined to do everything herself." Her family was awaiting her return home, especially Phillips, whose house was already accessible due to her husband being an amputee. She said that since returning home with her family, she has seen a positive change in Taylor. "Kaylee was getting really depressed in the hospital, just really depressed, she needed out of there. But when she got here, she's done probably better than all of us expected," Phillips explained. Getting used to her new normal, Taylor is cruising around the house with some ease, Phillips said, and she has a supportive family that understands her struggles. "There's no words for the village that's gathered around her. It's amazing," Phillips said, tearing up. "[My husband and Kaylee] talk back and forth because he has already been there and done it. So, they can kind of compare. They make a lot of jokes. There's lots of humor, lots of laughter. But yeah, I think it does help," Phillips said. Taylor said that as she adjusts to her new normal, she wants to thank those who saved her life on the scene. She is searching for them for a personal thank you. "Thank you for helping save my life, because they're the only reason I'm here still," Taylor said. "Before they put me in the ambulance, they all put their hands on me and prayed over me before they sent me to the hospital." Taylor said she is looking forward to her future as she gets the hang of her new adjustment. "It's different, you know, because I got to relearn everything, kind of. But it's not that bad. It's manageable," Taylor said. Taylor says she is happy to be alive. As for her future, she hopes to further her recovery so she can get back to riding horses, something she has enjoyed since she was a child. If you are or know one of the first responders from Taylor's accident, you can contact the family here. Donations can be sent to the family through Cash App: $ginamartin814 and PayPal: @Gmartin675.