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Sharon Budd Rings “Victory Bell,” Ready To Leave Hospital

MAHONING TOWNSHIP — The woman who was seriously injured in a rock-throwing incident in Union County in July is ready to go home to Ohio, but first she had...

MAHONING TOWNSHIP -- The woman who was seriously injured in a rock-throwing incident in Union County in July is ready to go home to Ohio, but first she had to claim "victory."

There were a lot of tears on Tuesday at Geisinger Medical Center near Danville, but they were tears of joy.

Sharon Budd participated in a longtime tradition by ringing the Victory Bell, which celebrates long-term patients that worked really hard to be released.

This is something her doctors did not think would be possible three months ago.

Family, friends, and Sharon Budd's physical therapists lined up outside the rehabilitation center at Geisinger Medical Center near Danville to wait for the guest of honor. And when she walked out, she was greeted with cheers and applause.

Sharon Budd had one last task at the rehab center before she got to go home to Ohio: she got to ring the Victory Bell, a special honor for long-term patients.

"Kind of overwhelmed!" she said.

But with the help of her therapists, ring it she did!

"She's just improved by leaps and bounds. She's walking all over the facility. She walks in and lights up every room. She has such a great personality and is such a pleasure to work with," said Sharon's physical therapist Chelsea Matukaitis.

"When she first arrived, she was quite confused, not able to participate in therapy, and now she's nearly independent, walking with little assistance, able to take care of herself," said Dr. Edward Heinle.

The Budd family's world was turned upside down about three months ago when four teenagers allegedly threw a rock off an Interstate 80 overpass in Union County. The rock hit Sharon's face and she required extensive surgery and rehab.

"Just unbelievable that that many people know who I am and know the story and things," Sharon said.

"She's so strong and I don't know how she did it. To be able to walk out there and answer these questions out here in front of everyone is a miracle," Sharon's husband Randy Budd said.

Even though the family from Ohio will drive home in the morning, they say it is bittersweet because Pennsylvania will always be a second home.

"We've made so many friends. In three and a half months, I feel like I've met people I've known my whole entire life," Randy said.

"Very excited about going home," Sharon added.

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