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Hernando Today

First-Grader Begins Return To Normal Life

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: May 29, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Morgan Katocs stood at the end of the line, a shy smile on her young face.

She pulled nervously on the hem of her pink sleeveless top, bought the day before just for this special occasion.

Like the 100 first graders before her, Morgan crossed the stage when her name was called, shook the principal's hand, accepted her award and joined her classmates on a riser. Loud applause echoed off the rafters of Pine Grove Elementary's cafeteria.

For most of the parents on hand Wednesday, the graduation ceremony was another page in the scrapbook. For Morgan's mom, it was a celebration of life.

"She's done really, really good," said Karen Hyde.

Morgan, now 7, barely survived a head-on collision last July on Powell Road. A drunk driver was responsible.

During the last 11 months, Morgan has undergone numerous surgeries to repair her broken back. She wore a hard plastic brace around her middle for months to protect her fragile spine.

Part of her way of coping with the trauma was to sell her neck brace on eBay to symbolically get rid of her nightmares.

Between trips to rehabilitation, Morgan had to continue her education. Because she started late, in October, it was thought Morgan would have to work into the summer.

But she caught up quickly. Not only did she keep pace with her classmates, she made straight A's for the whole year.

To reward her scholastics, Morgan and several other classmates received the superintendent's award during the graduation ceremony at her school.

Helping her along the way was Glenda Seeman, a 34-year veteran of the classroom. Five hours a week, after teaching a class of kindergartners all day, Seeman traveled to Morgan's Spring Hill home to help her with her class work.

"Not a day would go by that we didn't have something to laugh about," Seeman said.

Morgan blazed through her math homework, but it took some coaxing to finish the spelling and grammar, she said.

The back brace was removed on her seventh birthday and, a little later, she was given the all clear to ride a bicycle. Now she's allowed to run and walk, so long as it doesn't hurt. With a little convincing, her doctor might let her begin second grade on time.

For all of her advances, though, Morgan is still delicate. On Wednesday, she was only allowed on the lowest level of the riser her classmates had climbed to showcase their certificates.

Hyde beamed with pride: "She's adjusted remarkably well."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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