There's not a day that goes by that we don't think about Carlye. We recently visited our mom in Connecticut, who
is 82 years old, and she remembers when Carlye was first applying for employment at Shands Hospital in Gainesville,
Florida. Our mom was down in Florida for a visit, and Carlye came over to type her resume and asked us to review
it for her. Carlye was so excited, as she usually is, and we were too. Carlye just has that special charisma that is
contagious. Carlye's personality, love for life and helping others is exceptional for such a young person. Carlye was
so concerned about her grammar and what to put on her resume. We both read her resume, and everything was
perfect. So, Carlye could finally "relax" (right), and wait,...and wait,...for the interviews. No time to discuss
wardrobe, and, ... shoes. Well, not to our surprise, but maybe to Carlye's surprise, she was hired!
Hooray!! Carlye was so ecstatic !! And we were too !!
What an asset to Shands!! Carlye loved her position, her studies at Santa Fe College, and everybody encouraging
her along the way, gave Carlye confidence in herself - which is why Carlye is still with us today!
You Go Girl !!!
Our mom is grateful that Carlye has touched her life, and even though our mom doesn't have a computer, she
wanted us to share this story with everyone that has touched Carlye's life. If you have ever met Carlye, you will
know what she means. We know that meeting Carlye has made a
big impression on our mom, and us too, as far as determination and viewing life in a positive way, and if you don't
view life in a positive way, if you ever met [or after you meet] Carlye, you will.
God Bless, and I'm thinking of you my child.
Submitted by the Browns, on behalf of Louise - "Moo", Archer, Florida (08/01/06)
Carlye is one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever known and she has been that way her whole life.
When she was a little girl, she would cry at the Save The Children commercials on TV. Then, she would say that
she didn't want to keep her allowance because she
wanted it to go to help those kids.
Carlye is also a very supportive person. When I was a teenager, I was in a competition that meant a lot to me.
Carlye and a bunch of my family were in the audience. I didn't win, and Carlye started
crying. She was only about five or six years old at the time. After it was all over, she came up to me and gave
me a big hug. She told me that it didn't matter about the competition or what the judges
said, because they were wrong, and she loved me no matter what.
Carlye sure made me feel better about losing. She is one of the strongest people I know too. When she first got
into the accident, they didn't expect her to make it 24 hours, a week, a month .... They didn't expect to wean
her off so many machines or medications, or that she would ever get to come home. She is a fighter and a real
light to the world. We call her a Miracle Girl!
She has a very long road and many years of recovery ahead of her, but I know SHE can do it. It is an honor to
know her, to call her my friend and to be related to her. I love and miss you tons, Carlye!
Roxanne Taylor (my family only calls me Nikki). Story submitted 07/17/06.
I did not know Carlye or her family before the March, 2006, Gatorback Motocross Race. My husband told me
several months back that a friend of his, Carl, that he had been racing with for years, had a daughter that was in
a terrible car accident in July, 2005, and now he stays at home and takes care of her full-time. My husband
always attends Gatorback, and for the last 3 years has been invited to Carl Mabrey’s home the day after the
race to ride his bike at Carl’s backyard track with some other riders. This year I was able to accompany my
husband to Gaborback, and hoped I would have the opportunity to meet this unique man, Carl Mabrey. I did, in
fact, meet not only Carl, but his best buddy, Mike Brown, and Mike’s wife, Diane. I spent the day chatting with
them about the usual “bike” stuff, and about Carlye.
The next day we visited the Mabrey home. I thought to myself, what wonderful home and place to live. Then I
walked in and met Carlye. She was surrounded by Smiley Face stuff, even on her and her bed. Carl introduced me
to her, and she sat up and looked at me with those big beautiful eyes of hers. Carl took us all outside to his front
porch to talk and listen to the birds and see his property. Some other riders came over, and the guys went to the
back to get ready to ride. Carl asked me if I would stay with Carlye so she wouldn’t be alone. I was thankful for
that, because being with another girl and talking was far more inviting than being around a bunch of guys talking
about their bikes and how they beat somebody else at a race, yadda, yadda, yadda.
I must admit that I was a little nervous. Not knowing anything about Carlye, I wasn’t sure what to talk about. I
began talking, and the words came without even thinking about them. I became very relaxed. I was telling her
that I knew she was a strong person, and that she would get better, and that she just has to keep fighting. I
told her that I knew she didn’t know me, but I would do everything in my power to help her because I couldn't wait
to get to know her better. All of a sudden, Carlye sat up, turned her head to look me straight in the eyes, and
moved her hand toward me. I reached out to take her hand, and she squeezed mine back. At that moment, I
knew she understood what I had been saying. Keep strong, Carlye, and call me soon.
After reading the many stories Carlye’s friends and family have written about their experiences with her, I know
that meeting Carlye was not a coincidence. Just look at all the wonderful people she has touched and made
monumental impressions upon. I am so glad that all these people have come forward to tell Carlye how much they
love her, and how much she has given to them. Keep it up.
Maria Leimenstoll. Story submitted 07/05/06.
One of the greatest gifts I received this past Christmas was visiting Carlye and the Mabrey's. When my
husband and I visited them last December, we were pleasantly surprised. Quite honestly, I expected the worst.
I prepared myself not to recognize Carlye and see Carol & Carl really struggling. Well, I didn't recognize
Carlye, but only because her hair has turned so dark and although taking care of Carlye is extremely challenging
and exhausting (emotionally, physically and financially), I've never seen anyone cared for better.
Carlye is making amazing progress. Although it seems extremely slow, considering how severe her accident was,
how long she was in ICU (basically all of her physiological systems were only functioning with the aid of machines)
and that she wasn't expected to live, she's doing extremely well and getting stronger everyday. Her body is
gaining more and more autonomy all the time. She isn't on any machines. She tracks more with her eyes, makes
some verbal noises and is starting to move around more.
Although this progress seems like small steps, they are huge steps for Carlye and someone in her condition.
Consider a baby discovering their hands for the first time. This is an awesome discovery and a huge step. One
would never expect a baby to walk or talk yet. Baby steps are celebrated with Carlye's recovery. She was
Humpty Dumpty that literally had to be put back together again. Now that her body is just about put back
together, her biggest challenge is the brain.
It was such an awesome trip. I rode Carlye's dirt bike in honor of her. I helped to keep it warm until she's
ready to ride it again herself. We even went out to dinner. It was so wonderful to go out to eat with the
Mabrey's and have Carlye with us. That is how well she's doing. She still needs all the love, support and prayers
you can give, but she is strong and improving all the time.
We love you Carlye, Carl & Carol (the 3 C's)...and Silky.
-Brad & Roxanne Taylor (& Greta) Submitted 07/07
As I sit here and think about Carlye I think about how amazing she is! Not a day goes by that I don't think about
her. We first met in 10th grade through a mutual friend (Abby), and from that first time we met we have been
great friends. It broke my heart when she had to move to Florida, she promised we would never lose contact, and
we haven't! I remember taking Mom's mini van out driving all over town. Man did Carlye love to drive that thing all
over. We would crank the radio up and just sing our little hearts out, it was the most fun! But I remember she was
always having the worst luck with it, she would hit stuff left and right and have her drving privaleges taken away for
awhile!
You know I sit here thinking how much Caryle has overcome in her life. And she has overcome every bit of the hard
times that she has had to face! I cry everytime I think about what she is going through, wishing I could be there
for her! I just want to hold her hand and tell her I know she's going to come out of this! Mom and Dad, please
make sure she knows how much I love her and miss talking to her. I pray for her all the time and have everyone I
know is praying for her too!
Carlye always had a smile on her face. And even when she moved away from all of her friends, she kept on being her
perky self! And she sure did loves those smiley faces. We both have so much smiley face stuff that we have gotten
each other over the years. We had matching smiley/frown face pillows
I'll finish up with one more fun story of what Caryle and I used to do. In high school we were in a couple of classes
together, and note passing wasn't aloud. So Caryle and I would take a piece of paper and write a note/message to
the other. Usually it was just something stupid, like I love... You know typical high school stuff. Then we would
take and scribble all over the paper and make each other try and read the note. It sounds pretty silly now, but we
did it several times a day, we would pass them off to each other in the hallways. We would make up crazy words,
one that Carlye even used the last time that I talked to her before the accident was Derk. It was a combination of
Dork and Nerd! Carlye I cant' wait for the day that I call and Mom and Dad say, hey wanna talk to Carlye! And you
get on the phone and talk like nothing ever happened! I know that time is coming! I miss you so much!
Erin Submitted 5/07
