Learning to survive after a brain Injury

AUGUSTA, Ga. - It's a program that teaches people who suffer a traumatic brain injury to live independently. Walton West Transitional Living Center works with patients to teach them how to survive on their own.

Cooking, going to the bank and even interacting with people, all things we might take for granted, but imagine what life would be like if you didn't know how to do those things. One woman is not letting a brain injury stop her from living.

Ashley Valmont was a normal little girl, but her life changed 16 years ago.

"It was Friday when I got the call. I'll never forget it," said Jacqueline Brantley, mother.

Ashley had a car accident that seemed like a fender bender, but was much more serious and began a battle Ashley would fight for the rest of her life.

"An hour and half later she was in a coma. They had to put her on life support and she probably wouldn't survive the next 24 hours. Do you want her to stay on life support or should we pull the plug? That's exactly what he said," said Brantley.

Days later Ashley was able to pull through, but doctors said she would never be able to walk, talk or function like a normal person. Ashley was able to beat the odds, but doing so was a challenge.

"I used to get jealous, sad, lonely and humiliated," said Ashley.

At age 21, Ashley decided to learn how to live on her own. She's learning how to cook and take care of herself through a program with Walton Rehab. Although she still struggles with some basic concepts most people take for granted, like counting money, she says she's not going to let this brain injury defeat her.

"I want to be a doctor and work with babies," said Valmont.

A dream she'll be closer to accomplishing with every step she takes.

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