Back in October, WREX anchor Kristin Crowley was involved in a major car accident.
She has since been off the evening anchor desk in Rockford, Ill. recovering from broken bones in her ankle, tailbone and back.
But today, Crowley will be back to work. She will start slowly, anchoring the 5 and 6 p.m. show for the first few weeks. Once she is fully recovered, she will return to the 10 p.m. with anchor James Stratton.
“It’s been more than a month since I’ve anchored a newscast at WREX. That’s because on October 8, I was in a terrible car crash. My car slid off the road and hit a tree head-on, just less than a mile away from work. What followed after my accident is and was a long and painful recovery. I broke my back, my tailbone, and three bones in my ankle. The ankle break was so severe, I required surgery,” she said in a letter on the station’s website.
Crowley said viewer emails and letters helped her get through the painful process.
“Despite the pain and discomfort from the injuries, I never felt alone in my recovery. On a regular basis my coworkers, who are truly more like family, came over and visited me at home. And multiple viewers, dozens of them, sent cards and well wishes. I can’t thank the people in this community enough for keeping me in your prayers and for thinking of me throughout this entire time.”
You can read Crowley’s full letter below. Viewers can watch her back on air tonight.
It’s been more than a month since I’ve anchored a newscast at WREX. That’s because on October 8, I was in a terrible car crash. My car slid off the road and hit a tree head-on, just less than a mile away from work. What followed after my accident is and was a long and painful recovery. I broke my back, my tailbone, and three bones in my ankle. The ankle break was so severe, I required surgery.
On October 22, after the swelling had finally gone down in my foot, I was able to get that surgery. I had multiple screws and metal plates put into my ankle so that I could eventually have a normal functioning foot. But surgery was just the beginning of my recovery.
Ever since the crash, I have spent every day at home in a hospital bed. My injuries were too severe to return to work, but my main focus was to get better so I could get back to doing the job that I love. Every day, being away from WREX was agonizing. But I knew I had to rest so I could come back at full strength and be the journalist the WREX viewers deserve.
I wish I could say I’ve been strong throughout this process, but that would be a lie. I had some very trying times throughout my recovery. Mostly because I felt trapped in my own body. I couldn’t move much, I couldn’t make a meal for myself, I couldn’t even walk more than 10 feet on my crutches without getting winded. It was incredibly frustrating and boring sitting in a bed all day long. But at least now I can say the end is in sight
Despite the pain and discomfort from the injuries, I never felt alone in my recovery. On a regular basis my coworkers, who are truly more like family, came over and visited me at home. And multiple viewers, dozens of them, sent cards and well wishes. I can’t thank the people in this community enough for keeping me in your prayers and for thinking of me throughout this entire time.
When my orthopedic surgeon told me I could return to work on Monday, I would have jumped for joy if it wouldn’t have hurt my ankle! Getting back to that will truly lift my spirits.
My recovery, however, is far from over. I am in physical therapy now for my ankle and will need that therapy for the next 12 weeks. At some point I also need physical therapy for my back. I got good news recently that the break in my back has healed, but my muscles have severely weakened for lack of use. The same is true for my right leg. It will take some time building up the strength in both.
I can’t wait to return to the news desk at WREX next week, and I can’t wait to get back to normal! Again, I just want to thank everybody for everything they’ve done for me these past two months. I could not have gotten through them without you. I look forward to returning on-air and bringing you the stories that matter to this community.
See you Monday!
-Kristin Crowley