WEST LIBERTY — Some of Erica FaJohn's brain processes were affected by a serious car accident in early January, but her sense of timing remained intact. When Erica asked her father for a puppy during her hospital stay, he couldn't say no.

Erica, 18, is recovering from the accident with the help of the puppy, Bumper, a tiny Yorkshire terrier mix. The dog lifts her spirits, along with its parents, Trixie and Chopper, who are owned by her parents.

Erica's accident occurred as she drove her best friend, Chrissy Elick, to school and the Ford Explorer she was driving rolled over on a curve in West Liberty. The car came to rest on its wheels.

In the accident, Erica hit her head on the vehicle's roof when it rolled over. The injury caused an epidural bleed, or blood from a damaged artery that accumulates between the skull and the outer membrane of the brain. The condition was treated with surgery.

Elick broke her neck and is now paralyzed from the neck down. She is with her family in Colorado receiving therapy in a hospital that specializes in spinal cord injuries.

Erica lists the dogs among her top reasons for homesickness when she had to stay at HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital after the accident.

Erica made remarkable progress during that two-week stay, according to her father, Rick, who said doctors at Harmarville called it an amazing and intense recovery. Erica arrived there not being able to walk and talk.

After two weeks of intensive physical therapy, she returned home to her family.

"Erica's energy and dedication during her physical, occupational and speech therapy along with tremendous family support was significant in her recovery," said her physical therapist Susan Little.

In addition to physical therapy, she had to relearn many cognitive skills. Staff members had Erica play scrabble, bake cookies and perform various other tasks in an effort to get her brain to function as it had before the accident.

Erica still travels to the hospital at least twice a week for physical and occupational therapy.

Getting re-adjusted to her life took another step several weeks ago when she started working with a tutor to get caught up on classes so she could graduate. She planned to become a nurse after school, but at this point wants to take one step at a time.

The long-term effects of the trauma still aren't known, according to Rick and his wife, Sharon. While Erica still has trouble with her memory, most of her personality is back, which was a relief, they said.

"She's still sweet," Rick said.

For Erica, the toughest challenges are finding the right words to say. She also deals with the memory loss, including four days before the accident and several days after.

"The last thing I remember is New Year's Eve," she said. "When people tell me about the accident, it's kind of shocking."

Asked if she remembers a frog balloon that her brother, Josh, 17, brought her, she said no. Josh acts hurt, but told her he understands. Josh said he was the first on the scene at the crash site and wishes he didn't remember the event.

Now he's glad to have his sister, and the whole family, home again. At times, both parents stayed at Harmarville with Erica during recovery.

Sharon was glad they were there in the middle of the night just a few days after the accident when a nurse took Erica to the bathroom. The teen hadn't seen a mirror since they shaved her head to complete brain surgery. She screamed.

Now she sports a short, highlighted version of her previous long haircut. The hair will grow back and Erica tries to shrug it off.

For much of her recovery, she tries not to take things too seriously. The only thing that really gets to her is thinking about her friend, Chrissy, and her recovery.

In the accident, Elick broke three bones in her neck. Sharon said Elick's family took her to a hospital in Colorado for further recovery.

"She (Chrissy) was like our third child," she said.

Sharon is thankful to the countless community members who have offered prayers and help to the family in the past few months. Someone put signs at the accident scene, which was a thoughtful move, according to Sharon.

"It reminds you to take a minute and pray for them," she said.

Erica's softball team will likely be doing that as they play this spring. Though Erica can't join the high school team this season, their shirts read, "Erica's Guardian Angels."

A fund has been set up to benefit the girls' recovery at Grove City Credit Union, Grove City, PA 16127.

A barrel race fundraiser is set for noon April 22 at the Buckhorn Ranch in Slippery Rock for Elick, a former member of the barrel racing team.

All proceeds from the race will go to the family, including a portion of the entry fees and cash generated during a Chinese auction.

Admission for spectators is free.

Items for the auction include Steelers tickets, restaurant gift certificates, an iPod, gift baskets from various businesses, a car care basket, a basket filled with child's toys, a homemade afghan and several horse-related items.

A stainless steel gas grill valued at $850 will be the grand prize in a raffle. Second prize is a tool kit valued at $400.

For more information, call Gina Murdick at 724-794-8182.