A Texas teenager reunites with Colorado’s trauma team after a life-changing skiing accident

Hannah Evans didn’t expect her senior spring break ski trip to Breckenridge to change her life. At 18, the Texas native was looking forward to one last adventure before graduating. But a single misstep on the slopes left her paralyzed from the waist down and her dreams of an active future shattered in an instant.

Evans and her mother returned to Colorado for the first time since her accident and recently met with several members of her care team at Common Spirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood for a trauma symposium to discuss her case with other medical providers.

During her visit, she spoke about tragedy, triumph, recovery, resilience and how her life may be different, but it is far from over.

Hannah’s fall

Before the accident, Evans was a cheerleader who loved running and excelled in school. As graduation approached, she couldn’t wait to hit the slopes with her best friend and classmates.

After a fun morning on the mountain, Evans and her best friend had decided to call it a day in favor of shopping when the two met friends at the base who convinced them to go up again.

“I decided we should go because the trip was almost over,” Evans said. “Then we got on that elevator and it was not at all what we expected. But we said, “Okay, let’s do it anyway.”

“I panicked on the descent and hit a tree,” she continued. “I broke a few vertebrae, suffered a punctured lung, broke my left femur and dislocated my right hip.”

While Evans’ memories after her accident are not entirely clear, she credits her initial survival to three Navy SEALS, one of whom was a medic, who immediately came to her aid and stabilized her while they waited for the ski patrol.

As they loaded her onto the toboggan, she was still thinking about how beautiful the landscape was. “Snow fell on me and it felt so good. All I could think about was that if I had died there, I couldn’t have died in a nicer place,” Evans said.

After reaching the small hospital in Breckenridge, she was intubated, given strong pain medication and transferred to Common Spirit St. Anthony Summit Hospital. From there, flight nurse Maggie Clark and flight paramedic Dave Rowe took her by helicopter to St. Anthony’s in Lakewood.

Meanwhile, Evans’ mother, Ashley Evans, was desperately trying to get to Denver from her home in East Texas.

“It was 11 a.m. and I was chatting with a friend when we got a call from Hannah’s best friend’s mother,” Ashley Evans said. “She said Hannah had fallen and I thought: It’s snow, how hard can that be? She reiterated that it was serious and that they were being taken to Denver. We immediately started approaching them.”

The path to recovery

Hannah credits her ability to cope with her injury to the care she received at St. Anthony’s.

“The nursing staff was the first to make me feel like it didn’t matter if I walked out there or rolled,” Hannah said. “While others were still praying for my healing and telling me I would walk again, the nurses talked to me about going skiing with adaptive care. I am a better person for spending time at St. Anthony’s.”

While Ashley isn’t thrilled that Hannah will ever ski again, she shared her daughter’s feelings about the care she received.

“The staff at St. Anthony’s has changed our lives. They kept reassuring us that it was no big deal, that she could do it and I could do it,” she said.

Hannah had to undergo multiple surgeries during her stay, causing her to miss her high school prom and graduation, which was particularly hard for her. For years she had imagined herself walking across the stage, fulfilling a dream she had worked hard to achieve.

On a harsh, snowy day, when Hannah was feeling unwell, a few nurses found a way to secretly smuggle her into the hospital garden.

“It was the first time I had been outside since my accident. We drank coffee on the way down and sat outside drinking coffee and hot chocolate and chatting. It was like being with my friends again,” she said.

Moments like these and visits from her friends and siblings kept her going. Additionally, Hannah attributes her mother’s refusal to let her mentally deteriorate to her pushing her to get out of bed and focus on what she can do instead of what she can’t do.

Adapting to their new life

The Evans community has been committed to renovations with wheelchair modifications before she returns home, and family members have adjusted their schedule to help Hannah manage her pain.

Hannah can drive thanks to the hand controls installed in her car, which she says is a game-changer and allows her to remain independent. She also has a part-time job at a Christian summer camp in East Texas, wants to become an English teacher, and is taking classes at a local community college.

Since returning home, Ashley and Hannah have each learned a few lessons.

“I wanted to make her feel like nothing has changed and that she can still do anything she wants,” Ashley said. “I came out of the gates that way and I think that had both positives and negatives because at times she had to wallow in it. She needed to hear that things had changed and that life was different.”

Hannah said it was important to her to have fun and even joke about her new life. “My family makes fun of me and I make fun of them. There are lots of hiking jokes. I realized that not being able to laugh about my injury and see all the good in it was going to make it harder for me.”

When it comes to what she would say to anyone who has a life-changing accident, Hannah said: “It’s going to be hard, but you’re just as capable as anyone else.” I never approach a situation thinking I can’t do it . Remember that life is not over yet. It’s just different.”

7 tips to stay safe on the slopes this winter

Brian Blackwood, the medical director of St. Anthony’s Trauma who treated Hannah, shared his most effective strategies for staying safe and avoiding injury while skiing or snowboarding, especially during busy times like spring break.

1. Do you know the mountain?: Familiarize yourself with the terrain and runs before tackling them, especially if you’re not an avid skier. Knowing the names of the runs and their difficulty levels can help you avoid getting into situations you’re not prepared for.
2. Watch out for obstacles: Be careful of trees, poles and other obstacles along the slopes. Staying in the middle of the piste can help you avoid danger, especially if you are not a confident skier.
3. Always wear a helmet. Helmets are crucial for protecting your head in the event of a fall or collision.
4. Ski within your abilities: Don’t try to complete runs beyond your ability, even if you feel pressured to keep up with friends or family. Stick to runs that you are comfortable with and can complete safely.
5. Skiing with a group: It is safer to ski with people who can provide assistance if needed than to ski alone. Having a group also makes it easier for you to decide when you want to call it a day.
6. Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol: Skiing while impaired, whether due to alcohol or drugs, significantly increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Stay sober on the slopes.
7. Listen to your body: If you feel tired or your skills are declining, it’s best to take a break or call it a day. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to accidents.

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