TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Before her life-threatening ATV accident April 1, Ashley App had powered through childhood epilepsy, back surgery and other physical hurdles.

The 21-year-old North High School grad always bounced back to her favorite activities: horseback riding, varsity softball, Rollerblading and, more recently, racing quads.

Last month's crash was so bad, though, her family is asking for the community's prayers and financial support.

Ashley is "by far surpassing what everyone thought," said her mother, Lori Jauch of Glennville. She's walking and starting to talk, though her jaws are wired shut.

Ashley's very survival was in question after the accident.

Her fiance, Kyle Miller, 25, was riding with her that day at a private track off Seventh Standard Road, practicing for an upcoming race.

"I saw it all happen," he said.

Ashley came over a tabletop where Miller, a longtime ATV racer, had been helping her perfect a jump.

The nose of the quad came down and Ashley did an "endo" -- end-over-end flip -- with the 350-pound-plus Yamaha landing on her head.

"I keep replaying it in my mind, seeing her just laying there," Miller said.

Her helmet was split in half. That and a protective neck brace saved Ashley's life, her family says.

During the helicopter flight to Kern Medical Center, emergency responders used life-support equipment. Ashley, in a coma, had skull and face fractures and a hematoma in her brain. A bolt in her head measured swelling. She remained in a coma for more than two weeks, part of it medically induced.

Ashley, who was attending Taft College's dental hygienist program, was at Kern Medical Center about a month before transferring to HealthSouth Bakersfield Rehabilitation Hospital.

She might head home this week but will need intensive physical therapy. She's had one surgery and more are in store.

And the journey is far from over.

Ashley's short-term memory is spotty. It may take a year to assess the extent of her brain injury. And it's likely she'll never fully recover, Jauch said.

The family's finances have been hit hard.

Jauch isn't working, since Ashley currently needs 24-hour care. The family's last set of bills was paid by church donations. Ashley's future is uncertain.

"I don't know if she'll ever drive again, let alone work," Jauch said.

She believes prayer circles around the country, sparked by posts on ATV-racing Web sites shortly after the crash, lent divine assistance.

"God truly gave us a miracle," Jauch said. "I truly believe that's the reason she's alive."