She was pulled from the surf by teammates and lifeguards, then rushed to Hoag Hospital, where she later underwent surgery to replace a broken C5 vertebra with a plastic matrix inserted between the C4 and C6 vertebrae. Her spinal cord was not severed but damage has resulted in a significant loss of movement in her hands and legs.
She has since been transferred to Sharp Hospital in San Diego and she received a day pass to attend the Lions’ nonconference home win over Academy of Arts Saturday.
“It was great to see her, but it was tough,” Vanguard Coach Russ Davis said of Riedel’s visit to The Pit. “It was great that she got a day pass, since she has been in the hospital so long. She has made great strides [she can move her arms, moved her legs slightly inward recently and has some sensation in her extremities], her attitude is unbelievable and her spirit is amazing. She has lost 40 pounds, but she is so optimistic. She told me she is going to come back, it just might take her a while. She asked me if she would have to use a redshirt year this season.”
Davis said he speaks with Riedel daily by phone and visits her in San Diego as much as his schedule permits.
“She’s working hard in rehab and she’s an inspiration to our players, our school, and even people across the country,” Davis said. “She has received more than 100 letters of encouragement from the college basketball community, including letters from UConn, LSU and Stanford.”
As with any spinal chord injury, the extent of her recovery is unknown.
She is receiving mail at: Therese Riedel, C/O Sharp Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center, 2999 Health Center Drive, San Diego, 92123.
Vanguard, the defending NAIA Division I champion, ranked No. 2 in this year’s Division I poll, plays host to No. 1-ranked Union from Jackson, Tenn., Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
