Gracie Pugh’s inspiring journey of recovery after a car accident that claimed her father’s life and left her and her sister struggling to survive.
Gracie Pugh, the oldest daughter of wrestling star Jamin Pugh, known professionally as Jay Briscoe, is telling her remarkable story of recovery following a tragic 2023 car accident that claimed her father’s life and critically injured her and her sister, Jayleigh.
In a video posted by the Central Worship Center, Gracie, an 8th grader at Laurel Middle School in Laurel, DE, recounted the life-changing events of Jan. 17, 2023.
“My dad woke us up for school, just a normal day. And he brought us outside. He was so excited that there was this big rainbow outside, and then we just went to school. It was a normal day,” said Gracie.
After school, Briscoe was driving Gracie and Jayleigh to cheer practice when they collided head-on with another vehicle. Both Briscoe and the other driver, 27-year-old Lillyanne Ternahan, were pronounced dead at the scene. Gracie and Jayleigh were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
“I remember some dude just carried me out of the car. And then I just remember my sister. I don’t remember seeing her, but I can remember hearing her, and I remember seeing my dad in the truck,” recalled Gracie.
At the hospital, her mom told her how many people were praying for them. Gracie asked about her sister, who was in the room next door. Gracie was later transferred to another hospital, where she underwent surgery. It wasn’t until the following day that she learned what happened to her father.
“The next day, I woke up,” said Gracie, “I was really clueless. I didn’t know what was happening, but I asked for my phone. And then my mom had to tell me that my dad passed away.”
The news worsened when Gracie learned that Jayleigh suffered a compound leg fracture, a broken neck and collarbone, and a stomach injury that required surgery. Gracie herself sustained a spinal cord injury and a broken back. The doctor assured her he could fix her back, but said it would take a higher power for her to walk again.
“I honestly couldn’t even process it. I was so confused. I was like, there’s just no way I could be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. And I knew that my dad wouldn’t want me to be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life either,” said Gracie.
With the support of her family and friends, Gracie began the long road to recovery. She remained in the hospital for a month, where she had to relearn how to sit. For two weeks, she had no feeling in her legs. Gradually, she regained strength, able to kick her leg and eventually stand with support. Soon, she walked with the use of a walker and knee braces.
As the one-year anniversary of the accident approached, Gracie remembered that doctors told her that the nerves would stop regaining function. Gracie admitted, “Once it hit a year, I was like, I’m done. I can’t do it anymore.”
But her family wouldn’t let her give up. Encouraged by her mother and powered by faith and trust in God, Gracie soldiered on. She thought of her father, knowing he wouldn’t want her to be sad and in a wheelchair. With a renewed spirit, Gracie made a miraculous comeback.
“I kept pushing, and then throughout a year, even a year and a half after, I could start to jog again. And then I went and tried to tumble more, and like, even two weeks ago, I could go back up on my toes, which is something I couldn’t do for this whole period of time,” said Gracie.
In addition to Gracie telling her story, the video includes family photos from before and after the accident and footage of Gracie at various stages of her journey to rehabilitation. She’s seen running, biking, and performing gymnastics. As the video closed with encouraging bible scripture, Gracie shared an inspirational message that would’ve made her father, a man of faith, especially proud.
“When I think of my story,” said Gracie, “I just think of even when everyone tells you that you can’t, you just got to remember that God can help you get through anything.”