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46 °F 5 Day Forecast Sunday, November 30, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 19, 2003 Former Rogue Valley gymnast Meghan Jones is recovering at her family�s Medford home from injuries she suffered last month. She hopes to be walking again by Thanksgiving. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Injured gymnast returns home for recovery By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Oregon State University gymnast Meghan Jones, who was hit by a minivan while walking near campus Sept. 20, returned home this week to continue her recovery. Greeted by hand-painted signs and banners, the 20-year-old rolled up a newly constructed ramp to her family home in Medford Tuesday in the wheelchair she will rely on until Thanksgiving. She’s thrilled to be home, lounging in the sun with friends and watching baseball on TV with her family. Advertisement "Having her home is a bonus," said mom Nancy Mayer, who has spent the last month at her daughter’s side. Jones suffered head injuries and a pelvic fracture when she and two friends were walking from a Beavers football game a month ago. "If I had gone to the bathroom or anything before I left, I wouldn’t have been right there right then," she said. She underwent two brain surgeries at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, then was transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center in Portland for surgery to repair her pelvis. She was discharged from Legacy Emanuel Oct. 7 and spent a week at Providence Rehabilitation Center in Medford before coming home. Now she plans to go to physical, occupational and speech therapy three times a week, Mayer said. Jones is waiting eagerly for the large incision from her pelvic surgery to heal so she can start working out in a pool. She’s also dreaming of a return to gymnastics. "It’s going to be a long process with the brain injury," Mayer said. "The orthopedic surgeon said she should fully recover" from her pelvic injuries. Jones can’t put any pressure on her right leg yet, but after a checkup next month, she hopes to be on her feet by Thanksgiving. "We’re all just thankful she’s alive," Mayer said. "But it will be nice to get to the next step and have her up and walking." A recovering Jones has given her mom some nasty scares when, as a result of the brain injury, she sometimes forgets she can’t walk and falls. The emergency brain surgeries were so hurried that doctors didn’t have time to shave Jones’ whole head, so her long, silky hair hides the scar on her right side left by 22 staples and nine stitches. Jones said losing her hair would have been tough, but her mom said she’s maintained a positive attitude about everything else. Mayer said the support for Jones and the rest of the family has been amazing. "It’s so heartwarming," she said. "So many people have come forward with cards and calls and meals. "I want to thank everybody for the outpouring of prayers and thoughts. The whole community, the whole state, has been behind her 100 percent." Mayer said she’s focused on her daughter’s health, but the aftermath of the crash is unfolding in the courts. The minivan driver, Myrna Taylor, 45, of Albany, faces charges of driving under the influence, second-degree assault and recklessly endangering another person. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times