WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Spotlight on Sports: Game, Set, Comeback

Colchester , Vermont - April 10, 2006

Cailie Burns is a junior on the St. Michael's tennis team. She is at ease on court, playing the game she loves.

"I take every opportunity I get to play and just be happy that I can," says Cailie Burns.

That's because there was a time when Cailie couldn't play.

"Always new I was fortunate but I didn't realize how fortunate I was," says Burns.

Just before Calilie's sophomore year of college, a car she was a passenger in was hit head on by a drunk driver near her hometown in Rhode Island. Everyone involved suffered minor injuries except Cailie.  She was trapped inside the car. Four total strangers managed to pry her from the wreck seconds before it exploded.

"An experience like that definitely opens your eyes to a world that you're not used to," says Burns.

In an ironic twist, Callie was an advocate for mothers against drunk driving before her accident, never thinking that she would become a statistic.

Was never personally affected by it, never new anyone that was personally affected by it and then all of a sudden I was in a different position. I am now considered a victim," says Burns. 

Cailie spent the next three weeks in the hospital and six months at home in a wheelchair recovering from two shattered femurs, a broken ankle, ligament damage, and severe back pain.

"I have scars on my body and I have to remember it everyday when I wake up. But I'm okay physically and mentally I'll get over it," says Burns.

A year and half later Cailie is playing tennis again.

 "I am number three singles which is ironically the same position I played before, I just don't play it as well anymore," says Burns.

"I think it's great to look at what she's done and come through and conquered and to be playing such a high spot on such a good team is really wonderful," says teammate Cara Bednar.

"Nobody thinks of her as the kid who was in the accident that quite do what she could do before. They look at what she's been through and what she can do and that's the inspirational part," says Head Coach Greg Cluff.

"It's changed my outlook on life and how I treat people and I'm pretty much be thankful for what you have everyday," says Burns.

Shawna Lidsky - Channel 3 Sports