LEXINGTON — Morgan Roszman isn’t ready to go to school and see her friends.

So her friends — and many other community members — came to see her on Wednesday, the first day of the new school year for Lexington Local Schools.

The 18-year-old Lexington High School senior is battling back from surgical complications that included a punctured aorta, collapsed lung, respiratory failure and a cardiac arrest that lasted 10 minutes.

Her mother, Theresa Dutch, said she is overwhelmed by the support the community has shown Roszman and her family.

“It would have been too hard for her to go to the school,” Dutch said. “So, I thought, ‘Let’s bring them to her.'”

During the event, Roszman was greeted by her community at Grace Point Lex Church for a welcome-home event.

Students, staff, family and friends originally planned to drive through the church parking lot and wave to Roszman and her family at the entrance.

The plan changed when they all got out to hug her, bring gifts and share words of encouragement.

“I can’t give her time back,” Dutch said. “But the love of her friends, the support she doesn’t even realize she has right now, means the world. When she becomes more aware, seeing the pictures and knowing all the love that surrounded her will mean more to me than anything.”

Dutch said the community’s prayers and encouragement have been what keep Roszman moving forward.

“This means everything — knowing the community is here, that they love us, that they love her,” she said. “It has been the prayers that have healed her this far. She has overcome so much, and it wouldn’t have been possible without all the prayers.”

Dutch said she knows that with prayers and support, Roszman’s recovery will be that much stronger.

Jeanna Godby, an intervention specialist at Lexington Local Schools, said she loved seeing everyone come out to support Roszman and she was glad to be a part of such a great community.

“It means everything,” Godby said. “There are so many people supporting her.”

Ashley Rebillot, assistant principal at Lexington High School, said it has been inspiring to witness the students come together with compassion and support for Roszman and her family. 

“The outpouring of care and unity reflects the strength of our school community and the kindness that defines our students,” Rebillot said.

Roszman shows small, steady improvements

Roszman went in for what should have been a routine laparoscopic surgery on June 10. Instead, she came out facing a fight for her life. Her family said her survival is nothing short of a miracle.

After the complications, doctors gave her more than 40 blood transfusions before being flown to the Cleveland Clinic. She spent 13 days on life support, 30 days in the intensive care unit, and another seven days as a hospital patient before doctors diagnosed her with an anoxic brain injury.

After leaving Cleveland Clinic, Roszman entered the Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus and began fighting her way back.

Dutch, said Roszman shows small, but steady, improvements every day.

“There are eight stages of consciousness, and Roszman is now coming into stage three, which is minimally awareness plus,” Dutch said.

Roszman cannot speak yet, but she makes light noises and sounds as she relearns to use her muscles. Doctors also diagnosed her with a cortical visual impairment. Her mother said no one knows the full extent of the impairment yet. Her motor skills and core strength continue to slowly return as she works through rehabilitation.

“She should have been starting her senior year today,” Dutch said. “Our biggest goal is for her to be a part of her senior year and graduate.”

She said Roszman will walk with everybody at graduation, even if that walk looks different.

For anyone who wants to follow Roszman’s journey, Dutch invites people to friend her on Facebook. She said she hopes supporters will continue lifting Roszman up with prayer and love as she fights to reclaim her life.

(Pictures from Morgan Roszman’s welcome-home event. Picture credit: Hannah Martin)