Doctors said Scarlett Hall would never respond; she proved them wrong

In a therapy room at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in St. Louis, Scarlett Hall is doing something doctors once said she never would again - responding.

It was not long ago that her family sat in a hospital room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, hearing words no parent is prepared to process. Based on the severity of her brain injury, they were told Scarlett would never respond again. She would not breathe on her own. She would not cough. She would remain in a bed, kept alive by machines, without ever displaying purposeful interaction.

“All of Scarlett’s long-term prognosis came from Children’s Hospital, a facility that we are so grateful for and full of people that we love” her father, Clint Hall, told the Times. “We were told based on the post-accident MRI that Scarlett would only exist in a bed, kept alive by machines and never do anything intentionally or purposefully again.”

That prognosis came after a terrifying accident on June 19, 2025, along PP Highway southwest of Ava. Scarlett had been swimming in a creek when she was pulled into a bridge culvert and trapped underwater inside the pipe. Witnesses could not reach her, and for a time, she remained pinned beneath the current.

First responders rushed to the scene while nearby bystanders rushed to help. In a chaotic and dangerous rescue effort, multiple people were pulled into the culvert by the force of the water. In the process, Scarlett was knocked free from the debris that held her and pushed through to the other side, where rescuers immediately began life-saving measures.

She was airlifted in critical condition.

In the first 48 hours, her family was told multiple times she may not survive.

Yet she did.

“Our hope for Scarlett was based in our faith in God, not in hope that we were given medically,” Clint said.

Today, that early hope has manifested into continual steady, hard-earned progress that Scarlett is making every day. 

At Ranken Jordan, Scarlett’s days are structured around intensive therapies designed to rebuild the most basic functions. She receives various therapies, each tailored to meet her where she is.

“Since arriving at Ranken Jordan, Scarlett’s care has been incredibly comprehensive and intentional,” Clint said. “She receives daily therapies that include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, all tailored to meet her exactly where she is.”

In the beginning, Scarlett was completely unresponsive, essentially asleep. Even the smallest sign of awareness felt monumental. “So the first time we saw purposeful eye movement or felt an intentional hand squeeze, it was incredible,” he said. Those small moments have since grown into meaningful forms of communication.

One of the most significant breakthroughs has come through speech therapy. While Scarlett is not able to verbally speak as she did before the accident, she is learning to communicate using her eyes. With the help of specialized technology, she can make choices, answer questions and interact with the people around her.

“One of the most fascinating parts of her care has been how the team uses small, purposeful responses like eye movements or delayed hand squeezes as a foundation to build communication,” Clint said. “Her speech therapist has helped her begin communicating through her eyes, which has opened up a whole new world for her and for us.”

In therapy sessions, Scarlett has demonstrated an ability to process information and respond accurately. Using an eye gaze device or adaptive switches, she has answered questions about her life, identified people in the room and made clear choices between activities.

During one session, she correctly answered every question asked of her, from birthdays to favorite things, despite the distractions of a busy therapy gym.

In others, she has chosen between options like music, stories, rest or sensory activities, clearly indicating her preferences. She has even begun combining selections to form simple phrases, such as indicating that she wants more of something before eventually signaling she is finished.

“She can now make choices and even play simple games like Uno by selecting cards,” Clint said. “That’s something we never could have imagined early on.”

Her personality is also beginning to reemerge.“We love her facial expressions, whether they are eye rolls of annoyance, furrowing her eyebrows or little grins,” he said.

Occupational and physical therapy have focused on rebuilding strength and helping Scarlett reconnect with her environment. Tasks that once seemed insignificant have become major milestones.

“Even things that might seem simple like sitting up, tolerating time in a chair or interacting with objects are meaningful steps forward,” Clint said.

And some of the most emotional victories have come outside of therapy. “Meaningful firsts include wearing real clothes again rather than just hospital gowns, taking a shower rather than a washcloth bath and going outside with just mom and dad,” he said. “Those may seem like everyday experiences, but for us, they represent huge steps in her recovery and reconnecting with the world.”

Her progress has not come without challenges. Recovery from a traumatic brain injury is unpredictable, and there have been setbacks along the way. Illnesses like RSV and pneumonia have slowed her momentum at times, forcing her body to focus on healing rather than therapy. “Recovery isn’t linear,” Clint said. “There are days when progress feels slow or when Scarlett seems more fatigued or less responsive.”

For her family, one of the most difficult adjustments has been learning to measure progress differently. “Emotionally, some of the hardest moments are managing expectations and learning to celebrate small wins,” he said. “Recovery is a long road.”

Through it all, the family has embraced the mindset of “not yet.”

“The therapists and staff constantly challenge her in ways we didn’t think were possible,” Clint said. “They’ve helped us replace ‘she can’t’ with ‘not yet.’”

That perspective has been reinforced by the care team at Ranken Jordan, who Clint says have gone beyond simply treating Scarlett.

“What stands out most is the team itself. They don’t just treat Scarlett. They truly know her. They celebrate every small win and they constantly push her forward.”

Outside the hospital, support has poured in from across the country, especially in the Ozarks where the family has deep ties.

“I would like to emphasize how grateful we are to our friends in Ozark County,” Clint said. From fundraisers to messages of encouragement, that support has been constant. 

“People have just jumped in to help, and it has been so appreciated,” he said. “Beyond the financial support, it’s a reminder that we are not walking this road alone.”

The Halls are special to many people in Ozark County, as Clint served as Gainesville High School Principal from 2021-23, and Scarlett attended school at Gainesville during that time too. 

“Scarlett and I  both loved our time at Gainesville. She cried when I told her we were leaving. Even though we go to school somewhere different (Clint is now superintendent at Mansfield school, where Scarlett attended before the accident), Ozark County has wrapped their arms around us in ways that I will never forget.”

Online, Scarlett’s journey has reached tens of thousands, with her family sharing daily updates that document both the challenges and the victories in real time.

“Sharing Scarlett’s story hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly meaningful,” Clint said. “It’s become a way to celebrate her progress and remind ourselves and others just how far she’s come.”

Clint says they’ve had to adapt to a life that looks different than before the accident. “During this season, we’ve had to find a new rhythm as a family. I have been working a couple days per week throughout the school year. A retired superintendent comes in and covers on the days that I am at St. Louis with Scarlett and Shelby. I am so grateful for the school board. From the beginning they have told me to ‘Go be dad.’ Shelby also works a couple of days per week,” he said. “This semester we have kept [our son] Rolen in school more and just brought him up on the weekends. He and his sister are so tight. It’s not easy, but it’s what our family needs right now.”

They utilize a nearby Ronald McDonald house as their home base, which they say has been a blessing “not just for the convenience but for the community and support it provides during such a challenging time.” Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home-away-from-home” for families with ill children, usually at no cost or a very low, optional donation. 

Now, the next chapter is beginning to take shape. “We have a care conference in mid-April with the hospital, and we expect to receive a discharge date at that point,” Clint said. With that transition on the horizon, the family is preparing for Scarlett’s return home, making modifications to create a space where she can continue her recovery surrounded by those who love her. “Our goal is to create an environment where she can continue to grow, progress and be surrounded by family,” Clint said. “No matter what, we know that her story is still being written.”

While the road ahead remains uncertain, Scarlett has already rewritten what once seemed impossible. And with each challenge that comes her way, Scarlett continues to send the same message her family chose to believe from the very beginning.

Not yet.

*****

‘Scarlettmania’ Fundraiser: Scarlett and her brother Rolen are both huge wrestling fans. In response to that interest, the special fundraising wrestling event “Scarlettmania” was formed. This year’s event will be held Saturday, April 18, at Ava High School. Doors open at 5 p.m., and belltime is 6. Tickets are $20 ringside and $15 general admission. Tickets are on sale now at Town & Country Supermarkets in Ava and Mansfield and HomePride Bank in all southwest Missouri locations. Guests are encouraged to wear purple, Scarlett’s favorite color. Everyone is welcome!