Dartmouth woman continues road to recovery after being struck by car

CTV Atlantic: Road to recovery A 25-year-old woman struck by a car in Dartmouth three months ago while standing on a city sidewalk, is slowly regaining her strength.

A young mother from Dartmouth who survived being run down by a car twice last spring is slowly regaining her strength.

Twenty-five-year-old Terrie-Lynn Atwood suffered critical injuries following the incident on May 25. Gerald Desmond, 52, was arrested at the scene and charged with seven offences, including attempted murder.

Atwood hasn’t been able to eat or move on her own since, but recently noticed limited movement in her right arm.

“I lost a lot of weight. I lost a lot of muscle mass," she says.

"The improvements and everything's that's happened so far is a miracle," says Atwood’s sister, Toni Dixon.

As she focuses on getting better, Atwood’s friends and family have been trying to raise money to support her and her three children. The oldest is just five.

Her mother, Rachale Atwood, has been at her bedside every day, never losing faith.

“She is such a strong individual,” Rachale says. “I had that implanted in my mind as a hope.”

Atwood says the generosity from the community has helped keep her going, but she hopes to put some back. The family is currently working on getting her set up in a new, easily accessible apartment.

With the worst now behind her, Atwood believes the future is bright.

“I feel like now I can probably cope with it, and move forward with my life. In a new way, obviously,” she says.

Gerald Desmond is scheduled to reappear in court at the end of the month.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Bruce Frisko.