Rippley/Johnson Benefit: How are the kids doing?

Alex Rippley is doing better and can get around with one crutch. Sherry’s Shots On the morning of May 7 Brenda Rippley’s day started just like all other days. She got up, fixed breakfast for her kids and got them off to school. That afternoon she received news that would change her life forever. Her three children had been involved in a horrific accident.

Brenda’s son, Carl, was driving home after school at Centerville High School and lost control of his pickup. The car hit a tree, leaving Carl and his friend Stephanie Ann Fowler both dead. Carl‘s friend Scotty Johnson, Carl‘s sisters Lauren and Alex were all seriously injured.

On Saturday July 25, the city of Centerville hosted an all day benefit for the Rippley and Johnson families. Brenda Rippley gave an update on her surviving girls and Scotty Johnson.

Lauren, 15, is in Our Children’s House at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. She has been classified as a quadriplegic and is currently in therapy. She is showing some progress and is now able to use fingers on her right hand. Brenda says that with spinal cord injuries it sometimes takes four to six months for swelling to go down, so she is hopeful that there will be further improvements. Alex, 14, is doing well and is able to walk using a crutch. She still has some paralysis in her right hand but is improving daily.

Brenda Rippley takes life one day at a time since her children’s accident. Sherry’s Shots Scotty Johnson shattered his pelvis and has had several surgeries. He cannot stand at this point but can use a wheel chair. He expects to be in therapy for four to six months.

Brenda Rippley is extremely grateful for the outpouring of love shown her family during this terrible time in their lives. She shared, “Carl and I had a wonderful relationship. On the morning of the accident the last thing he said was ‘Mom, I love you’. I think that has helped me get through all this”.