While some people might wallow in self-pity after an accident like Meghan’s — one that decimated her left knee, leg and ankle — the then-30-year-old discarded the pessimistic prognosis that she wouldn’t walk normally or ever run again.

“I knew immediately I was hurt,” she said. “I thought I’d broken my leg and I’d get a cast and maybe need some help with laundry, but it would be OK.”

Instead, Meghan experienced a grueling physical and emotional metamorphosis. Her rehabilitation continues as she strives to regain leg strength and improve her running time in a 5K.

While hospitalized, one physician’s opinion was that she’d never walk normally, never run again and wouldn’t return to her classroom until the fall.

Friend and Penn State nursing student Adam Burget visited Meghan during her initial days at UPMC Altoona. The external fixator on her left leg held her ankle in place for two weeks until the swelling went down enough for Dr. Adam Budny to operate. Dr. Joshua Port repaired the tibial plateau fracture by attaching a plate near her knee. Courtesy photo

“That was helpful,” Meghan said. “I am glad he said that to me. It motivated me.”

Her health care providers credit Meghan’s amazing comeback to an unwavering positive attitude and the support system — parents Tom and Lisa Bradley and future husband Wayne Hooper.

By 2013, they’d been dating for three years — mostly long distance.

Wayne modestly shrugs off accolades that he helped Meghan through her long ordeal and said, “I don’t think I did much except be there for her. I tried to be empathetic. I drove back every weekend and tried to get her out of the house to go for a car ride. I’d try and boost her spirits with small gifts — just silly things — that would make her laugh and smile. We played a lot of Rummy and Scrabble.”

He also listened.

“I let her cry without judging. Her left leg was destroyed, so she had a right to be miserable. Everything wasn’t OK. It was messed up,” he said.

Through the hardship of recovery and long-distance, the couple learned and loved through sickness and in health.

“Meghan learned that she is so much stronger than she thought she was. She is still stronger than she thinks she is,” Wayne said. “When I see her pushing herself, she motivates me.”

In turn, Wayne’s athletic experiences and expertise helped Meghan.

“When I was injured, there was no official commitment, a ring had not been purchased,” she said. “A lesser man would have left me, I’m sure. Wayne stayed with me. That’s what made me cry during my wedding vows.”

They married Aug. 9, 2014.

“We moved to Ephrata the next day. After four years of a long-distance relationship, our honeymoon was living together and teaching at the same district,” Wayne said.

Meghan’s care

Meghan received care from sports medicine specialist Dr. Joshua Port and a foot and ankle specialist Dr. Adam Budny, both of University Orthopedics, and a team of Drayer physical therapists who “became like family,” Meghan said, so she invited them to the wedding.

“Watching her walk down the aisle at her wedding is one of the highlights of my career,” therapist Naomi Pennington said. “It was one of her goals to walk without help.”

Budny said, “I’ve seen a lot of other patients with less trauma and a less severe injury who haven’t had motivation to do as well. The kind of injury to her ankle is very challenging to recover from. Her positive mental attitude and adherence to her therapy kept her moving forward.”

The surgeons pieced her leg and ankle together using plates and screws in six different surgeries within eight months to repair broken bones and stretched ligaments, including a pilon ankle fracture, seen in fewer than 10% of patients.

“It occurs most often in a high-velocity accident,” Budny said, “more commonly seen when someone falls off a ladder or is in a motor vehicle crash. It’s not a very common fracture.”

Port said, “She was willing to do whatever it took. She’s a huge inspiration. She taught me a lot about perseverance and how much can be gained in therapy. She is an excellent come back story.”

Nine weeks after the accident, Meghan returned to teaching. Her mother Lisa said, ‘her willingness to teach from a wheelchair was a testament to how dedicated and determined she was to getting a ‘normal’ life back.

“I prayed that she would be able to walk again, never thinking that my prayer of her being able to run again would be answered. “… I am still in awe of all of the adversity she had to overcome to get where she is now.”

Unable to bear weight on her injured left leg for three months, Meghan found herself completely dependent upon her retired parents.

“There was one small step outside their front door, about 5 inches high. It was the bane of my existence,” Meghan said. “I was 30 and using a wheelchair … it was totally humbling.”

Her dad said, “Meghan gained a greater appreciation for those who have mobility issues — including students in her school, co-workers and others in the community. Despite the severity of her injuries, we all experienced countless blessings in the days following the accident and for these we remain truly thankful.”

Helping others

Meghan uses her pain-filled journey to help others similarly incapacitated, like former Altoona basketball player Anthony Colbert of Altoona.

Now, 22, Colbert said, as his physics teacher, Meghan helped him catch up on class work and “motivated me. … She knew what it was like to have PT and to be in so much pain. She went above and beyond for me.”

Meghan sends get-well cards and cheery texts thanks to a stranger who showed her how a well-timed word can be transformative.

“I had a light bulb moment when a random guy walked up to me as I was struggling with my crutches. He … told me it would get better.”

Today, weather changes, high heels and over-exercising cause pain, but she focuses on the positives.

“I shudder to think how much I took for granted before,” she said. “Now, I just have so much gratitude for everything and everyone in my life. So many things went right and those were prayers answered.”

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 949-7030.

The Hooper file

Name: Meghan (Bradley) Hooper

Age: 36

Hometown: Altoona, now resides in Ephrata

Family: Husband, Wayne Hooper; parents Tom and Lisa Bradley of Altoona; brother, Seth, and his wife, Erin, and son, Alexander Bradley of Morris Plains, N.J.

Employment: Instructional coach, Ephrata Area School District since 2016; science teacher at Ephrata High School, 2014-16; physics teacher at Altoona Area High School, 2007-14

Education: Altoona Area High School; Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Pennsylvania State University; Master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Francis University, Loretto.

Awards/honors: AASD Educator CARE Award in 2010