Wentz-Graff Media

Storytelling: Bringing Courtney Home

Courtney Johnson-Atherden had the world by the tail--she had just bought her first home and was planning a wedding to her long-time boyfriend--when she was in a head-on collision caused by poor weather conditions. She suffered a severe brain injury and was in a coma for months.  

After two years of rehabilitation in a special program, her progress had stalled. Her family decided it was time to bring Courtney home. 

  • Courtney, center, is surrounded by neices Brooke Johnson, 16, far right, Baylee Johnson, 3, left, Brittney Henrie, 12, top left, Courtney's sister Juli Henrie, top right, as they relax in Courtney's room, April 8, 2007 in Genoa City. Courtney will live with her oldest sister Juli and her family, with all the nearby family members helping with her care.
  • Courtney's mental ability is like a three-year old child. She doesn't even remember her name all the time. No one knows for sure exactly how much she can actually understand, but she can speak. She must be cared for 24-hours a day, and needs help with the most basic needs. Several of her siblings relocated to Genoa City and live near one another so they can all help with her recovery.
  • Juli Henrie, right, wheels her sister Courtney Johnson-Atherden, center, over a curb in Lake Geneva, April 5, 2007. Juli's daughter Brinn, 4, rides on her aunt's lap. Juli brought her sister home to live with her and says although Courtney needs a lot of care, the decision was easy. Nearly all of Courtney's memory has been erased, but one person she did not forget was her favorite sister, Juli.
  • Juli cheers to encourage Courtney to touch boiled eggs that Juli is preparing. Every day is full of learning experiences for Courtney although they are often a struggle for both her and Juli.
  • Courtney is surrounded by her neices Brooke Johnson, left, Brittney Henrie, 12, center left, and Kayla Dawn Johnson, 2, right, as they try to make her comfortable by putting warm socks on her feet. Courtney can speak, but is often confused by directions and has difficulty finding the right words to describe what she wants.
  • Courtney's frustration can escalate quickly as she is often frustrated by her inability to communicate clearly. No one is sure how far Courtney will progress with therapy, but the family hopes that being with them will help her recovery.
  • Courtney pokes at her food during Easter dinner. She is seated with her nieces and nephews at the children's table, her back turned to the adults.
  • Courtney stares out the front door, alone in the hallway, after wheeling herself away from a family dinner. One aspect of Courtney's brain injury is intense frustration and quick mood changes that cause her to become very angry or solemn.
  • Juli measures out one of three daily doses of medication for Courtney. Juli has learned how to regulate the dozens of meds that Courtney must take, in addition to every other facet of caring for her sister's complex needs.
  • Brittney Henrie, 12, left, her mother Juli, center left, and sister-in-law Angie Johnson, center right, are exhausted after a full day of caring for Courtney. They have spent the past 45 minutes trying to convince Courtney to take her evening medication and must sit out her stubborn mood.
  • Courtney is tucked into bed by her sister-in-law Angie Johnson, center, as Juli picks up Courtney's room and prepares for another day.
  • Juli knows that Courtney will likely never be the same. She isn't sure that she'll ever recover enough to be independent, but her hope for her sister is simpler than that. She wants to surround her with the people who love and care for her, in hopes that Courtney will know how much joy just being alive gives to her family. {quote}That's just what family does,{quote} says Juli.
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