A 9-year-old girl who suffered a stroke last October was sent home from Blythedale Children's Hospital on Tuesday after receiving surgeries and extensive therapy.
Mae Cunningham was greeted by a crowd of supporters as she left the facility and rode home in the front seat of an Orangetown Police Department patrol car.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Lily Chan says Cunningham has experienced a remarkable recovery.
"Mae still hasn't reached her full potential yet and she's still making gains every day. She's just an amazing kid,” she said.
Cunningham’s recovery has touched her community. News 12 was told that a group of her closest friends cheered her on as she arrived home from the police escort.
Cunningham’s mother, Keri, believes support from the community expedited her daughter’s journey back to health.
"We never felt alone. The community consistently gives us the strength to keep fighting and fills our lives with optimism,” she said in a statement.
The statement went on to thank everyone who was a part of Cunningham’s return home and called the sendoff a "a beautiful start to Mae's next chapter."