Former King’s College PA student injured in auto accident returns to school for a visit

WILKES-BARRE — Returning to college usually means back to classrooms, professors and striving for good grades.

For Miranda Stasko, her return to King’s College had a different meaning.

In 2000, Miranda was a 20-year-old physician assistant major at King’s College and had just finished her sophomore year. During that summer, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in injuries, including brain trauma. She was in a coma for several weeks and her injuries prevented her from returning to King’s.

Thanks to a chance meeting with Bob Thomas, who works in the business office and teaches accounting at King’s, Miranda, now 35, returned for a visit.

That chance meeting took place at the Hazleton Airport, where Miranda was about to scratch one thing off her bucket list — skydiving. Bob had the same item on his personal bucket list and was wearing a King’s College tee shirt.

When Miranda saw Bob in his tee shirt, she introduced herself as a former student. The two had a conversation about King’s and the PA program, specifically about the new facility, King’s on the Square.

Miranda told Bob going back to King’s was also on her bucket list. He invited her for a visit and she accepted.

Miranda lives in Endicott, NY and her injuries are severe. She gets around in a wheelchair, although she can walk short distances. Her speech is deliberate and her short-term memory is not good.

Monday was a day she will remember and she has already told King’s officials she wants to return for another visit.

Diana Easton, PA program director, greeted Miranda at the door of the King’s on the Square building. She explained how the program has grown since 2000 and gave Miranda a tour of the facility.

As we walked through the halls, Miranda’s mom talked about the accident in August 2000. She said her daughter was the front-seat passenger in a car struck by a speeding van that had run a red light, bringing an end to her quest of becoming a physician assistant.

Some 15 years ago, Miranda was contemplating going to medical school. Today, she requires around-the-clock care.

Diana gave Miranda an official King’s College PA program patch that students wear on their lab coats. She also gave her a pin that PA program grads wear on medical rotations, calling Miranda a special member of the King’s family.

“I’m special,” Miranda repeated after the pin was placed on her sweater.

“Once a King’s student, always a King’s student,” Diana told Miranda. “You are always welcome here.”

Cindy Solomita, Miranda’s mom, is the founder of Compassionate Care in Endicott, an organization of which she serves as president/CEO.

On the organization’s website, it states: “Cindy knows first-hand the anguish a family must deal with when a loved one is the victim of a traumatic brain injury. The mother of a daughter with TBI, she understands the overwhelming feelings of frustration that become a part of daily living. This is why she formed Compassionate Care — to share the knowledge she has acquired and put it to work helping others live as independently as possible and providing quality, compassionate care.”

Also on the website is “Miranda’s Story” which explains the accident, Miranda’s recovery and her dreams.

Miranda also wrote a message to fellow survivors:

“My life changed dramatically that day, but I have learned a lot since then. Things happen. That’s just the way it goes. You can’t change the past, but hang in there. Things do get better if you let it. Just keep on truckin’. That’s my best advice.”

Miranda misses her old life and hopes to one day return to PA school. Her mom, whom she calls her hero, tells her anything is possible. For now, Miranda and her mom help others through Compassionate Care.

As Miranda toured the King’s new PA program facility, I couldn’t help but think of what could have been. Miranda was a top student. She wanted to become a physician assistant. I bet she would have made a good one.

Miranda visited the classrooms. She got to see the anatomy lab. She got her PA pin and patch for her lab coat.

It was a good visit.

Miranda and her parents have learned a lot in the last 15 years. She knows she can go skydiving again. She also knows she would have been a great PA, but for now she cannot return to the classroom. In fact, she may never again have that chance.

That’s the toughest lesson of all.

Miranda Stasko, center, was a King’s College student until a tragic motor vehicle accident left her with traumatic brain injury. She returned to the King’s campus Monday and was given a tour of the new Physician Assistant facility at King’s on the Square by Program Director Diana Easton. With her is her step-father Dave Solomita.

Miranda Stasko, center, was a King’s College student until a tragic motor vehicle accident left her with traumatic brain injury. She returned to the King’s campus Monday and was given a tour of the new Physician Assistant facility at King’s on the Square by Program Director Diana Easton. With her is her step-father Dave Solomita

Miranda Stasko gets emotional while hugging Diana Easton and Jocelyn Hook at the King’s Physician Assistant program.