ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — For Megan Busch, 9, her sister Jessica, 15, and their friend, Taylor Hathcock, 14, New Year’s Eve was just an ordinary evening.

The trio had gone to a nearby convenience store, and were walking home down County Road 65, near Pope Street in Robertsdale, around 5:30 p.m. when they were struck by a car.

Two of the girls were life-flighted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Another girl was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

While Taylor and Jessica are recovering from their injuries, Megan remans in a wheelchair.

Her mother, Kim Busch, says the Central Christian School fourth-grader’s spine was injured at the 12th thoracic vertebra.

A benefit “Cut-a-Thon” and sale of Boston Butt pork roasts was held Sunday, March 1 at Capella’s Salon on Highway 59 in Summerdale to raise money to cover the girls’ medical expenses. Haircuts were $10 and the meat was sold for $25. All the proceeds from the haircuts and the money raised after expenses from purchasing the meat went to cover the girls’ medical expenses,

The salon was buzzing as people lined up for haircuts. Outside, a cadre of men were preparing the pork roasts for sale.

“It’ the least we can do,” said salon co-owner Anita Waters. Waters owns the salon with Crystal Harvey and Paula Ferguson.

“We all have children,” said Waters, “and something like this touches all of us. We don’t have money, but we can cut hair.”

Waters added that they have received assistance from Jerry and Tina Byrd of Robertsdale Heating and Air, Dr. Brian Pierce of Central Baldwin Chiropractic, Greg Salac of Salac farms, and Terry Waters of Waters Nursery.

“We are so grateful,” said Kim Busch. While Busch has insurance from her job cleaning apartments with Meyer Real Estate, that covers 80 percent of the girls’ medical bills.

“The other 20 percent is on us,” Busch said.

"I had gone to work,” said Busch. Her husband, Rodney, and the girls’ father was at home when the girls decided to take a walk.

“The accident was right down from our house,” said Busch. “Their father, Rodney, was at home, heard the commotion and knew the girls were walking home. He called Jessica on her cell phone.”

Jessica answered. When Rodney Busch heard Jessica was “sort of out of it,” he went running to the accident scene.

“Megan was unconscious,” said Kim Busch.

Kim then got the call that no one ever wants to get.

“Rodney called me and said I needed to get home,” Kim said.

Kim arrived at the scene in time to see the girls before they were whisked away.

When asked, Megan said shyly that she didn’t remember the incident.

Megan went to the University of Alabama Birmingham for further treatment after leaving Sacred Heart. She came home to Robertsdale at the end of January.

While there is some doubt about Megan’s prognosis, Kim Busch is determined to be optimistic.

“We’re going to stay positive. We are going to be OK, whether she walks or not. We appreciate everything,” Busch said.

Busch has been in contact with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and has a list of other foundations and groups to contact. She has been advised by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to go to the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore for another opinion on Megan’s condition. Busch says she and Megan are hoping to go there this summer.

Still, there are some things the family needs. Right now, Megan is being home-schooled to help her catch up with her classmates at Central Christian School. While the school is mostly wheelchair friendly, there is a need for at least one ramp to accommodate Megan.

At home, there’s a similar situation.

“We need to have a handicapped toilet installed,” said Kim. She added that a shower and other things in the house would have to be modified for Meagan as well.

“We haven’t figured out what to do,” said Busch. “We have been very fortunate, very blessed.”

“It looks like we have a lot of friends,” said Megan, looking around the busy salon. “It’s nice to know people care.”