Surviving LIFE D WORDS BY TRAVIS HAIRGROVE / PHOTOS FROM FAMILY
BEATING the ODDS
Ireland Covington has come a long way following 2024 accident
Playing video games, watching anime and laughing with family and friends are some of the interests we expect from a 14-year-old girl. But in the case of Ireland Covington of Wolfe City, those simple, easy-to-take-forgranted activities are pretty remarkable, seeing as a little more than a year ago, she narrowly survived after being struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle.
“ I’ ve been making digital art with Procreate on my iPad, learning to crochet, and I started archery at a camp a few weeks ago,” Ireland said proudly, as she reflected on her recent progress.
As for the accident she suffered in March of 2024, which left her with a crushed pelvis, broken lower back, a brain injury and a 5 % chance at survival, Ireland remembers very little.
“ I vividly remember asking my dad for permission to ride my bike to the park and I remember coming to the crosswalk where I got hit. But I don’ t remember actually getting hit,” she said.
Since then, Ireland has been through multiple surgeries and physical therapy, and is still struggling with severe pain from nerve damage, neurofatigue and brief-butpainful( possible“ absent” or“ petit mal”) seizures.
“ When she went back to school, she got tired so easily. Her body would just shut down and it was very hard on her and hurt her friends and teachers to see,” said Ireland’ s mother, Lauren Covington.“ So, we’ ve been homeschooling her since January and it’ s been a lot easier on her brain and body.”
Another thing Lauren has learned to accept over the past year is that Ireland’ s life will forever be different from what it was before the accident. But it’ s not all bad.
“ There’ s no going back to how things were before she got run over but we’ ve been so thankful for the support of not just our immediate
14 GREENVILLE LIFE