Toni Greetan
Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Accents/61490/
Her memories of the accident are unclear, even though she was conscious. Toni Greetan, 18, was a passenger in the back seat of a car last June 3. The car wrecked, and Greetan sustained a devastating spinal injury.
Bound to a wheelchair, Greetan is a paraplegic. As tragic as the outcome of the accident was, it’s impossible to shower Greetan with sympathy. She doesn’t need it, and she certainly doesn’t want it. Smiling and cheerful, she explained why she thinks her attitude is such a good one.
“ I grew up around my uncle, Scott Marlow, ” Greetan explained. “ He was a quadriplegic after an accident, and I saw him accomplish so much. When I was a little girl, I used to sit in his lap and ride with him in his wheelchair. He was always my hero. He graduated from college and raised his daughter alone after his wife died. He did things people never dreamed he could do.
“ Since I learned about my injury, I think about Scott. He died two years ago, but I know all the things he achieved, and I know I can live my dreams, too. After I graduate from Bentonville High School, I want to become a kindergarten teacher. I know I can do it, and I believe it’s a career I will love. I’ve worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Bentonville for years, sometimes as a volunteer, and then I was hired when I turned 17. I like working with kids, and I’m going to work there three or four hours a day this summer. I’m looking forward to it. ”
She also looked forward to last week’s high school prom. Greetan was selected by vendor Spectrum Brands Remington as the Benton County girl they wanted to outfit for prom. Megan Bundy, Leslie Lentz, Devon Morrison and Jennifer Webber made the night even more special for Greetan by treating her to a beautiful prom dress, shoes, jewelry, pampering — makeup, hair and manicure — at Accents Salon and Spa in Bentonville and dinner before prom at the Bonefish Grill in Rogers. She was given a big basket of makeup and hair appliances for good measure.
“ They were wonderful, ” Greetan said, with an even bigger smile than usual. “ They were fun to be around, and they gave me so much stuff. I appreciate everything from them. ”
Coordinating the company’s annual gift to a prom girl, Webber said she fell in love with Greetan and her grandmother, Mary.
“ All of us had the best time working with them, ” Webber said. “ They’re so nice to be around, and they called us their ‘ guardian angels. ’ We just think they’re great. I’m go glad Toni had fun at the prom. She’s a wonderful girl. ”
Accompanied by her friend, Alexander Donnelle, Greetan said they even attended the after-prom party.
“ Oh, at the after-prom party, I thought I was going to get a picture of my principal on a mechanical bull, but he got thrown off before I could get the shot, ” Greetan said, laughing. “ The prom was fun and the party was fun. It was a terrific night. ”
For the past seven years or so, Greetan has lived with her grandmother, Mary Hobbs, in Bentonville. The relationship between the two is easy and close.
“ It’s amazing that she’s able to do so much now, ” Hobbs said. “ She’s determined; that’s for sure. Toni is a hard worker, and she’s made the most of her physical therapy. It was my brother, Scott Marlow, who was a quadriplegic. Toni always just loved being around him. I think remembering all he did has helped her a lot. She’s doing so well. I’m proud of all the progress she’s made. ”
Greetan happily admits her grandmother is her main support.
“ She’s here for me nonstop, ” Greetan said. “ And she was even before the accident. I always know I can count on her. ”