“We Thought It Was Just Broken Bones”: Wallace Sisters Share Life After the Interstate 27 Crash

“We Thought It Was Just Broken Bones”: Wallace Sisters Share Life After the Interstate 27 Crash

Alexis and Aaliyah Wallace survived the crash on Interstate 27. Months later, they are still working to get their independence back.

Alexis suffered severe leg and ankle injuries, a ruptured Achilles tendon, a broken neck and a fractured tailbone. Aaliyah suffered fractures to her spine, ribs and hip, along with a dislocated ankle and shattered heel.

Recovery has meant constant soreness, painful physical therapy and needing help with things they once did without thinking twice.

Alexis cannot stand, so getting into bed, using the restroom and showering require sliding between surfaces. Her dad built a custom bed platform to help. For Aaliyah, relying on scooters and walkers has added strain to her hips and joints.

The sisters expect to begin using walking boots in late October. They say their doctors hope they can transition into soft braces and begin walking without assistance by December, depending on their progress.

Through the hardest days, they credit their parents, brother and medical teams for showing up and helping them keep going.

For Alexis and Aaliyah, getting up and walking across a room is a moment they are still working toward.