“For four weeks I was in a coma,” she says. “The first thing I remember after the accident was waking up in the hospital. My mom had to tell me several times what had happened to me. I just remember being held in such peace. I just knew that everything was going to be okay, that everything was going to work out.”

Because of her tracheotomy, Rachel says, “I couldn’t speak at all for the next two weeks. I had to write on a white board to get my thoughts across. I wrote to my mom, “It was no accident. Have faith. God knows.” Throughout her recovery, whenever she’s gotten down or discouraged, her faith has been a major factor in helping her stay grounded and moving forward. 

“I just believe this is all part of God’s plan for me,” she says.

Rachel and Dr. Vishteh share a moment during taping for the NBC Today show

When she was transferred from North Mountain Hospital to a long-term acute care facility a month later, she still had not regained consciousness. She was in hospitals for about two months before finally being able to come home. Then, the very next day, she began intensive rehabilitative therapy, often for hours a day,

“I’ve had to re-train my body how to move normally again,” she explains. “I am in a special program now that lasts eight hours a day, Monday through Thursday, that’s a lot of cognitive retraining. I’ve got physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, just an unbelievable amount of people.”

Dr. Vishteh points out that survival of an injury such as Rachel’s can be often largely a matter of luck. He also observes, however, that her excellent physical condition probably played a role. Rachel worked as a personal trainer and kept herself in good shape through workouts and an overall healthy lifestyle. She also credits her muscular strength as a factor in her survival and recovery.

“There were some dark days and nights,” Dr. Vishteh says, “when it was touch and go. But she’s a fighter and a very inspirational person.”

Although Rachel’s nearly full recovery is something rare, it’s not unheard of. Dr. Vishteh and the trauma staff at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital have had a number of other such successful cases.

“We have to give credit to our excellent EMT services who made really good decisions about how to handle Rachel right at the scene of the crash,” Dr. Vishteh continues. “Also, there have been such advances in diagnostics, CAT scans and MRIs and the like.”

What makes Rachel’s case unique, as far as Dr. Vishteh is concerned, is the young woman herself. That’s most readily evident in the way that she is giving back.

“I volunteer at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital in Patient Hospitality, and I also volunteer with the Trauma Survivors Support Network,” she says. Approximately once a week, along with her mother, Rachel goes to the ICU or other floors at the hospital and meets with people going through some of what she went through, giving the gift of encouragement.

As to the medical personnel who saved her life at John C. Lincoln and those at the other facilities who have cared for her throughout her recovery, she says, “I just thank them from the very bottom of my heart for taking care of me. They’re amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a greater staff caring for me. I was at the right place at the right time. From Dr. Vishteh doing my neck surgery, to the nurses and ICU staff, they are all just very skillful and compassionate.”

Just as her medical team gave to her, she’s determined to continue giving back.

“To live is to give,” she says. It’s hard to put it any better than that.

To learn more about John C. Lincoln Hospital and their doctors, visit www.jcl.com

The NBC Today show flew Rachel and her parents to New York City, where Jenna Wolfe interviewed her about her miraculous survival for their nationwide morning broadcast.