KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Just in time for the holidays, McKenzie “Kenzie” Graham is home from the hospital, fulfilling the Christmas wish of her 8-year-old sister.
"It felt very exciting, coming home," Graham said in an exclusive interview with Channel 9 on Wednesday.
The 13-year-old from Kannapolis has made a miraculous recovery since she was hit by a car on Nov. 13. Her mother told Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster that if the driver had not stayed, Kenzie likely would've died.
[READ MORE: Teen girl makes miraculous recovery after being hit by car, family says]
"It was very hard. When I first saw her, they had to get a wheelchair because I couldn't even stand," Kenzie’s mother, Tammy Currie, said.
Kenzie suffered a traumatic brain injury. Doctors performed a craniotomy and had to remove a bone in her skull. She has already been through a lot of therapy.
The former straight-A student has had to relearn everything she knew -- how to walk, talk and read.
"She is so strong and such a fighter that I know she's going to continue to progress," Tammy said.
After 37 days in the hospital, Kenzie and her mom came home Wednesday. Kenzie said it was support and prayers from her family, friends and community that helped her get through the last five weeks.
"It was very important because they helped me get stronger and work harder," Kenzie said.
From dropping off meals to donating money toward medical bills and helping the family with Christmas gifts, the Kannapolis community has done it all. Teachers that Tammy works with even donated their days off so she can stay home with Kenzie the rest of the school year.
"It's amazing because she needs me full-time and I need to focus on getting her better," Tammy said.
The focus, for now, is celebrating Christmas together as a family.
"We didn't think she was going to get to come home, so for her to come home for Christmas, it's a miracle," said Alexis Graham, Kenzie’s sister.
Family members told Channel 9 the driver who accidentally hit Kenzie visited her in the hospital and has followed every step of her progress.
Kenzie has at least one more surgery ahead. Her family does not know when she will be able to return to school.
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