Houston-area teenager <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/04/health/synthetic-marijuana-irpt/index.html">Emily Bauer</a> was a normal 16-year-old "full of light and laughter" until her family says she had serious side effects from smoking synthetic marijuana. This family photo of Emily was taken in December 2011.
A slow recovery —
Houston-area teenager Emily Bauer was a normal 16-year-old "full of light and laughter" until her family says she had serious side effects from smoking synthetic marijuana. This family photo of Emily was taken in December 2011.
Courtesy Blake Harrison
One month after the incident, Emily was blind. Each day since had been a fight -- a fight to move a finger, a fight to whisper something to her family, a fight for life, according to her family.
A slow recovery —
One month after the incident, Emily was blind. Each day since had been a fight -- a fight to move a finger, a fight to whisper something to her family, a fight for life, according to her family.
Courtesy Bauer family
Emily starts her recovery on January 16 at TIRR Memorial Hermann rehab hospital. Her family remained hopeful as she tackled physical, occupational and speech therapy.
A slow recovery —
Emily starts her recovery on January 16 at TIRR Memorial Hermann rehab hospital. Her family remained hopeful as she tackled physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Courtesy Bauer family
Emily stands on the tilt table at the rehab hospital on February 22. "Emily has achieved some great things this week," wrote her mother in a daily <a href="https://www.facebook.com/safe4emily" target="_blank" target="_blank">Facebook update</a>. The teenager was finally able to use her right hand and she faced the tilt table without "any pain, dizziness, or tears."
A slow recovery —
Emily stands on the tilt table at the rehab hospital on February 22. "Emily has achieved some great things this week," wrote her mother in a daily Facebook update. The teenager was finally able to use her right hand and she faced the tilt table without "any pain, dizziness, or tears."
Courtesy Bauer Family
Emily struggles to stand with some help on April 26. "Thank you for all your positive comments. It's a new day and I'm much ... happier today than I was yesterday," she told her mother to share on Facebook.
A slow recovery —
Emily struggles to stand with some help on April 26. "Thank you for all your positive comments. It's a new day and I'm much ... happier today than I was yesterday," she told her mother to share on Facebook.
Courtesy Bauer family
Emily ends the month of May by pumping iron in her wheelchair.
A slow recovery —
Emily ends the month of May by pumping iron in her wheelchair.
Courtesy Bauer family
This contraption is helping Emily relearn how to walk. Here, her stepfather and physical therapists help strap her in on August 6.
A slow recovery —
This contraption is helping Emily relearn how to walk. Here, her stepfather and physical therapists help strap her in on August 6.
Courtesy Bauer family
Emily strikes one of her signature faces as she poses with her mom, Tonya Bauer, at a golf tournament fundraiser for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/safe4emily" target="_blank" target="_blank">SAFE</a> in August.
A slow recovery —
Emily strikes one of her signature faces as she poses with her mom, Tonya Bauer, at a golf tournament fundraiser for SAFE in August.
Courtesy Bauer Family
Emily and her parents take photos as they eagerly await a bus to take her to her first day of school on August 26. "Our hearts are full of joy that we were able to reach this milestone," wrote her mother. The 17-year-old returned to Cy-Fair High School, where she is a sophomore.
A slow recovery —
Emily and her parents take photos as they eagerly await a bus to take her to her first day of school on August 26. "Our hearts are full of joy that we were able to reach this milestone," wrote her mother. The 17-year-old returned to Cy-Fair High School, where she is a sophomore.
Courtesy Bauer family
Emily throws bean bags while standing at a therapy session on September 3, a week after she returned to school.
A slow recovery —
Emily throws bean bags while standing at a therapy session on September 3, a week after she returned to school.
Courtesy Bauer family