Family back under their own roof

By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch An Eatonville-area family, forced into hospitals by a New Year's Day automobile accident that left one of its members paralyzed, is back home. Douglas and Sara Harris and their children, McKenzie and Wyatt, were fully reunited under their own roof with 7-year-old McKenzie's release from Harborview Medical Center. Since then, the family, which has received extensive news media attention and community support during their recovery, has asked for time to adjust to their new home life with McKenzie as a quadriplegic. Home health nurses have worked with her since her return May 28, and there have been final touches on remodeling to make the house and McKenzie's room more accessible for her. "We are so excited to have our family all back together again," the family posted on its Facebook page (facebook.com/teammckenzieharris). The family was on its way home Jan. 1 when another vehicle crossed the centerline on State Route 7 and struck the pickup truck that Sara Harris was driving. The other driver, Glenn Fitting of Eatonville, died in the collision. Fitting may have been experiencing a medical emergency in the moments before the crash, according to the State Patrol. All of the Harris family required hospital care. Douglas and Sara, underwent surgeries and therapy as part of their recovery from serious injuries. In the wake of the accident, the family received an outpouring of support from the public, including fund-raisers to help with medical bills and related costs. The financial support from the public has continued, including a car wash in Graham July 20 that was hosted by Limeberry and O'Reilly Auto Parts, and an online auction of a living-room chair donated by Upholstery Services in University Place. "We appreciate all of the continued love and support that we've received from all of you, and look forward to sharing our journey moving forward," the family said via Facebook.

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