Eight months ago, Traci Lopez thought she was going to have to plan her baby's funeral. Instead, Ava's health took a dramatic turn -- for the better -- and since then the community continues to celebrate her recovery.
Lopez watched in horror as a suspected drunk driver ran them down in their own front yard on Cabin Road on April 23, 2009. Ava's body was lifeless. While a neighbor rushed to help stabilize her, witnesses say 42-year-old Julie Bronson never stopped. Police later found her in her wrecked convertible Mercedes and charged her with two counts of intoxication assault and failure to stop and render aid.
Last May, the Rogers Ranch community held the "All for Ava" rally at their club house. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also attended to help raise awareness. Neighbor's tied pink ribbons around their trees and on the gates of the subdivision.
On Sunday, Lopez told KENS 5 that she's been shocked by the outpouring of support from around South Texas for Ava, who turned two this year and is getting healthier each month.
"We felt like we had so much help throughout this process and there are other people who are not as fortunate to have that kind of help," Lopez said.
The accident is not fully behind the family, though. The family is preparing for Bronson's upcoming trial. Lopez says Bronson was indicted, and jury selection could happen as early as Jan. 19.
Meanwhile, the Lopez family is turning this tragedy into something positive. They are in the process of setting up "Ava's Wish."
"After facing the unimaginable this past April, Manny and I have decided to put a positive spin on a very negative situation," Lopez wrote in the family's Christmas card. "Due to the fact that Ava suffered a severe brain injury, we are starting a charitable organization, 'Ava's Wish,' for pediatric head trauma and disorders."
She is also grateful to see many people still have the pink ribbons tied to their trees. "I know what it signifies, and it shows people are really behind us. People have said they aren't taking them down until Ava has a full recovery," said Lopez.
Ava has come a long way, but she still has a long way to go. On Tuesday, Ava will have another M.R.I. of her spine to help with lower back pain. Doctors want to be able to rule out a possible fracture that could have been missed.
The following day, Ava will undergo surgery to repair a nerve in her right eye. Doctors also want to rule out possible increased incranial pressure in her brain. To do that, they will monitor her brain for two days.
The good news is, Ava is walking, talking and has her spunky personality back.
Throughout the year, there have been other opportunities for the community to rally for the youngster. For the 2009 San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon, there was a team that ran in support of little Ava.
"One of our friends set up a tent and we had an 'All for Ava' team," Lopez said. "It was a way to keep people focused on the case and to keep it alive."
In October, shortly after Ava's birthday, the community had a second "All for Ava" rally. This time, they painted an entire patch of pumpkins pink and invited the Spurs mascot, Coyote.
"It was a recovery party for Ava," said Lopez.
But it was heartbreaking to visit Ava in the hospital, she said, and see other children isolated in their hospital rooms with no one to hold their hand or read to them. She hopes that "Ava's Wish" can fill a void for these needy kids.
"We would like to make sure people are there to support these children so they are not alone," said Lopez.
Looking back at the accident is still tough, Lopez says. But recently, friends and neighbors refurbished the front yard where the accident occurred. They planted trees and altered the landscape.
"Even though when I see the yard, I still think about what happened, it helped make it new, and it was amazing to see people help us," said Lopez.
For more information on "Ava's Wish," please visit www.caringbridge.org. Enter "avalopez" (one word).
