Year Of The Knife vocalist Madi Watkins takes first steps after accident, may head home soon

Year Of The Knife vocalist Madi Watkins has been steadily making progress in her recovery since the band's severe van accident. Madi, who was initially placed in a medically induced coma after the accident, gained the ability to communicate through a speaking valve placed in her trach after waking from the coma.

Since then, she has been actively participating in physical therapy sessions twice a day focused on her rehabilitation. Recently, Madi achieved a significant milestone by taking her first steps under the guidance of her husband and bandmate, Brandon Watkins.

Brandon shared:

Madi took her first steps in PT!!!!

The Watkins family also shared a longer form update to the band's GoFundMe page, outlining the next steps in Madi's journey home.

Madi is working really hard two times a day in occupational, speech and physical Therapy. She's already had surgeries to fix her broken jaw, facial fractures, both femurs, pelvis and ankle. She has fractured and broken just about every bone in her body. She is working hard in PT. She is still not able to sit up or stand on her own. We have been working on standing her on her right leg only. She can't put any weight on her left leg at all because of the broken femur, pelvis, ankle and fractured tibia. This has been a challenge. She also has to be lifted out of bed in a sling to get her in a chair. She had her wires and bar removed from her mouth on August 24 and then her trach removed on the 25th. Enabling her to eat soft foods for the first time since the accident on June 28th. Hopefully her stomach peg tube will come out next.

The most troubling and challenging of her injuries is the trauma to her brain. Right now on the Rancho Los Amigos scale she is a Cognitive (persons thinking and memory skills) Level V - Confused, Inappropriate Non Agitated: Maximal Assistance. You can read more about the cognitive levels here https://www.neuroskills.com/education-and-resources/rancho-los-amigos-revised/

Madi is silly most of the time but also gets upset and cries. In her condition she still worries about everyone else. She is the sweetest, kindest, strongest and most amazing person.

Madi may be released sometime soon. Though this is comforting to know, it also brings a lot of uncertainties. Getting her home will be difficult. As of now we have no idea if she will be able to walk or sit up on her own. She has braces on both legs and is still in a C collar. She is not able to do even the little things that we take for granted. When we do get her home she will be in a chair. The house will need updates to make it more accessible for her. They still do not have a car.

Aaron and Andy are both walking on crutches and doing okay.

Brandon is learning a lot about what he will need to do to help Madi once they do get home.

The funds raised continue to help the family with the costs involved. Every dollar donated makes a huge difference and we are so unbelievably grateful. Much love and thanks to you all.

Long story short: we're in a great place rn. Madi is working really hard. They wanna send us home in September but we don't know what kind of condition madi will be in. Scary shit, but everything's positive. https://t.co/IOB9sJteEP

Contributions to their GoFundMe campaign are encouraged and will make a difference in easing the financial burden faced by Year Of The Knife and the Watkins family. We wish Madi and the Watkins family the best on their journey back home from Salt Lake City.