KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The youngest survivor of the Kalamazoo shooting spree is recovering at home after undergoing another skull surgery last week.
Abbie Kopf, 15, was released from Bronson Hospital but is quarantined to her house until her next doctor’s appointment on Feb. 21.
Last Friday, doctors re-inserted a plastic plate to reshape the piece of Abbie’s skull that doctors were forced to remove after she was shot in the head. Neurosurgeon Dr. Gregory Wiggins said the hour and a half surgery went “very well” and said no skin graft was needed.
Abbie and her family are hoping they don’t have any more setbacks after this surgery. In June, an infection forced doctors to remove the plate reshaping her skull only a month after it was inserted. In August, she underwent another surgery to repair an incision that wasn’t healing properly. The stumbling blocks mean Abbie has been unable to rejoin her classmates at Harper Creek Community Schools.
The Kopfs say they are sincerely grateful for the dozens of get well cards Abbie has received in recent weeks.
After the Kopfs shared that Abbie was going through a rough patch in early January, a 24 Hour News 8 viewer started a Facebook page called Cards for Abbie. Since then, the teen has received cards of support from all over West Michigan.
One woman sent pig figurines to pay tribute to the Kopf’s pet pig, Snuffles. Another woman sent Abbie an “affirmation jar” full of slips of paper with inspirational quotes on them. Abbie is supposed to pick out a slip of paper each day.
The Kopfs say the gifts and cards go a long way in brightening Abbie’s days. They’re also thankful for the cards Abbie’s little sister, Juliana, has received.
Abbie is among two survivors of the Feb. 20, 2016 shooting rampage in the Kalamazoo area that left six people dead. You can follow her progress on the family Facebook and GoFundMe pages.
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Online:
Abigail Kopf’s Recovery GoFundMe account
Inside woodtv.com:
#KalamazooStrong: How you can help
Complete coverage of the Kalamazoo shooting rampage
