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Patients of Courage: The Untold Stories
Cortney
On Christmas morning 1996, Cortney’s life as a typical high school sophomore took a dramatic turn. On her way to a local nursing home where she offered to stand in for a co-worker, Cortney was critically injured in a car accident.
The car caught fire—with Cortney trapped inside for 30 minutes as rescue crews worked to free her. She suffered burns on more than half of her body, including her legs, abdomen, back, buttocks, and left arm.
“I really didn’t think I was going to make it out of the car,” Cortney said. “But I did, and can honestly say that I’ve seen the grace of God.”
After assessing her condition, the local hospital immediately transported her by helicopter to the Regional Burn Center, where she remained for the next three months. Still in critical condition from a closed head wound, she endured eight surgeries in the first three weeks—including multiple skin grafts and amputation of her left leg above the knee. Several procedures were attempted to save her right leg, but it, too, required amputation.
“Cortney’s drive to recover amazed us all,” said one of the first surgeons to operate on her. “I can’t recall another patient who was as singularly focused on getting back to their normal life.”
After her discharge from the Burn Center, Moore pushed herself through intense physical therapy. She was fitted for prostheses in June 1997, just six months after the accident.
“All of the doctors were amazing,” said Cortney. “With their help, I was able to return to school the next fall. I was able to walk unassisted, carry my own backpack and even climb two flights of stairs, twice a day!”
Since her graduation from Baylor University in 2006, she has undergone four additional reconstructive plastic surgery procedures to her upper right leg—a free flap graft and three operations to remove excess tissue.
Today, she is happy and healthy and enjoys restoring antique furniture, attending flea markets, volunteering at her local animal shelter, and practicing pilates. Cortney plans to return to Texas and pursue a career in banking or finance.
