The East High graduate who lost a leg in a car accident on prom night was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital Friday, but it will likely be months until she’s fully recovered, her doctor said.
Molly Bloom, 17, was moved from Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center to Children’s Hospital, where she will begin learning to walk, and eventually, be fitted for a prothesis, said Dr. William Brown, Molly’s primary physician at the Medical Center.
Molly’s recovery is progressing as scheduled, Brown said, and so far she hasn’t run into any major obstacles.
But she still has a long way to go.Molly won’t be able to go home until she can manage getting around on her own, Brown said, with a walker or crutches.
“She has a very long road ahead of her,” said Marci Auerbach, a Bloom family friend and an employee at the medical center.
Molly lost her leg in May when the Hummer stretch limousine she rented with friends drove off as she was climbing inside. The car ran over her left leg, then dragged her nearly 40 feet.
Surgeons had to amputate the leg, which was attached by only a flap of skin, and also removed half of her pelvis.
Hospital officials estimate she has had 13 surgeries so far over the course of her recovery.
Molly’s bouyant personality has been an important force during her recovery, her doctor said.
“She’s an incredible personality,” Brown said. “It’s a devastating injury and she’s really done very nicely.”
The driver of the limousine, Stanley D. Sample, 38, faces a misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in serious injury.
His arraignment is scheduled for July 17.
Staff writer Alicia P.Q. Wittmeyer can be reached at 303-820-1316 or at awittmeyer@denverpost.com.
