A Prince William County high school teacher is in a coma, and her son -- who has cerebral palsy -- is recovering from a broken leg after a car crash.
Now, the family is hoping for a miracle -- and for some help.
Kelly Powell, a special-needs social studies teacher at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia, has been in a coma for a week, said her husband, Greg Powell. "All the efforts right now are to try to get her to wake up," he said.
Kelly and son Carson, 12, were in a crash last Monday as they went to get ice cream.
The crash left Carson in a wheelchair -- a particularly difficult place for a young man who has had several surgeries to be able to walk on crutches due to his cerebral palsy.
"He woke up in the bed and said, 'Where's Mommy? Is she sick?'" and I said, 'Honey, she was in the accident too, and she's not doing very well.'" Greg said. "And he started crying. It's a really tough time for the family."
It's a tough time for her school community, too. "Kelly is a big cheerleader for kids with special needs, whether it be her own child or any other child in this building," said Anita Hadden, chair of Centreville High's social studies department.
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"It's just not the same. We've got a hole in our department," said Dawn Barham, a special education teacher at the school. "We need her to come back ... we miss our Kelly."
The Powell family has started a Go Fund Me page to help raise money toward medical expenses.
"Any financial support we can get to help them move along on this long road ahead would be greatly appreciated," said Geanine Munson, a friend of the family.
