NORMAL - Only 45 minutes after Marixanna "Xanna" Garcia registered for Normal Community High School in August, she suffered a severe stroke. It was so severe that doctors called her family in to say goodbye, and she ended up enduring two brain surgeries in two days.

Now, after nine months and hundreds of hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy, she is completing her freshman year with a "B" average with the rest of her class this week.

Garcia's story will be told during the Children's Miracle Network Telethon June 1.

Dr. Ann Stroink of Central Illinois Neuro Health Science in Bloomington, who first treated Garcia, calls her a "shining example" of what should happen with a person who suffers a stroke. She said Garcia's success shows how important it is for someone having a stroke to get immediate treatment as Garcia did at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

"We were grateful at first that she was alive," said Stroink, who was pleased to learn how much Garcia has improved since their last visit in December.

Garcia, 15, started attending Normal Community High School part time in January with help from a home tutor and continuing therapy.

"The whole family had a lot to do with my recovery," Garcia said.

Garcia, who hopes to work in the field of law, possibly as a women's advocate, said she was lucky that the stroke did not impair her ability to learn. It hit the right side of her brain, affecting her motor skills.

While she is a good student, Garcia said she walks and talks "a little weird" and her writing is far from speedy.

"She's a more loving child," Sharon Perez said of her granddaughter after the stroke. "She appreciates things."

"She's got more into her studies," said her father, Jimmy Garcia, who moved from California to stay with his daughter at the hospital during her recovery.

His daughter agreed.

"Before I was doing what I wanted. Now I want to get good grades," she said.

People don't expect a high school freshman to have a stroke. Hers was caused by an arteriovenous malformation, a congenital, abnormal collection of blood vessels.

Nor do they expect someone with such a severe stroke to survive, said Perez. For Garcia's family, her survival was a miracle.

For Garcia it's something she couldn't have achieved without determination and support from family and friends, including those from her former school, Chiddix Junior High School. Garcia attended Chiddix for only one year after she, her mother, grandmother and aunt Debbie Perez moved to Normal from California less than two years ago.

"The students leave the building, but they don't leave our hearts," said Tom Shackley, a Chiddix social studies teacher who has been active in fundraisers for Garcia.

Most recently the school's drama club donated $500 from the proceeds of a spring play to help the family with medical costs.

Garcia's mother, Marianne Garcia, lost her job - and medical benefits - the same day her daughter had the stroke, so the help from Chiddix and other fundraisers is deeply appreciated, Perez said.

The school also raised money for her by selling old basketball jerseys. Ironically, basketball is no longer part of Garcia's life because the stroke and surgery ended contact sports for her.

"Everybody did what they could because they care," Shackley said, describing Garcia's progress as "wonderful. We're so proud of her."

NCHS Principal Jeanette Nuckolls called Garcia a "sophisticated young lady" and praised her classmates and teachers for helping with her progress.

Garcia had a lot of little victories so far. She remembers the first time she showered alone or dressed herself again. "That was exciting," she said.

Stoink said keeping a positive attitude is vital because if a person gets depressed and gives up, progress suffers.

"This family and young girl are the epitome of optimism," Stroink said.

Once Garcia came home in October from Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, she and her grandmother were home together most of the time. Garcia's brother Jimmy was off at school and the rest of the family was at work.

"Her parents had their work to do; we had ours," Perez said.

"It was just me and Nana," Garcia said using the term of affection she has for her grandmother.

Perez was a tough taskmaster, however. At her insistence, Garcia soon left her wheelchair and cane behind.

"You're mean," Garcia told her with a grin. "I don't get any slack."

While some friends stuck by her, other drifted away during the ordeal.

"It's hard to accept," Garcia said. "I just sucked it up,"

For her positive attitude, Garcia has been nominated as a possible Miracle Child of the Year as part of the Children's Hospital's program. If she is chosen, she will win her first trip to Walt Disney World.

"I hope I win," she said with bright eyes.

Nearby, her grandmother smiles at the family's miracle, showing that she already thinks Garcia is a winner.

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Xanna's recovery

Following are excerpts of a recovery journal kept for Xanna Garcia by her family.

Aug. 14: Marixanna "Xanna" Garcia experienced a stroke only 45 minutes after registering for high school. She is rushed to brain surgery.

Aug. 19: She's recovering from a second surgery at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Sept. 3: She blinks and lets her mother, Marianne Garcia, know she recognizes her.

Sept. 5: Xanna can give big smiles and follow with her eyes.

Sept. 9: She is in the rehab unit and getting physical therapy from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sept. 13: She does understand. She can put her hands together and pray. Her dad, Jimmy Garcia, takes her to church every Sunday.

Sept. 14: Xanna spoke her first words: "Mom and Dad."

Sept 18: Tonight she had her first dinner … When she was eating she kept saying "Yum."

Oct. 12: She came home from hospital to her family in Normal.

Oct. 14: She attended a benefit and celebration in her honor at The Chateau of Bloomington.

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Making miracles

What: 23rd annual Children's Miracle Network Telethon

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Live on WEEK-TV. The telethon is broadcast in both at Eastland Mall in Bloomington and the River Plex in Peoria.