Shadle student Andy Prochnow overcame skateboarding accident to graduate on time

On a warm summer night three years ago, Andy Prochnow and his skateboard hit the bottom of the hill at Rowan and Driscoll in northwest Spokane.

It was, by Prochnow’s admission, a “reckless and impulsive” act for which he paid a steep price.

A few seconds later he hit a car, and a few weeks later found rock bottom.

After six weeks in a coma, Prochnow couldn’t speak because of damage to his windpipe. He suffered short-term memory loss and his bones were broken.

But not his determination.

In the late fall of 2016, Prochnow began his sophomore year at Shadle Park High School.

It was a comeback trail that began on crutches and will end next week when Prochnow will graduate – on time and on his own terms.

“I think I’ve matured because of the experiences I’ve had,” said Prochnow, whose freshman report card was dotted with Fs.

Principal Julie Lee noticed a change too.

“I think the accident transformed him in many ways,” Lee said. “When that accident occurred, his family mobilized around him and the school definitely did.”

“The teachers he works with have been really patient with him with what he can do,” Lee said. “But he developed a confidence that says, ‘I can do more.’ ”

Pointing to his right leg, which still hurts with every step, Prochnow said, “I had to do this to get to that. It takes me forever to do things, and I feel motivated because of that.”

Motivation was supplied the moment Prochnow returned to Shadle, with posters on the wall that read “Welcome back, Andy” and other messages of encouragement.

More tangible support came from school administrators, including counselor Stephanie Filippini, who according to Prochnow “helped with everything,” from drawing up an individualized education plan to coordinating with teachers.

During his sophomore year, Prochnow could attend only part-time, “so we had to recover some of his credits,” said Filippini, who got help from administration and a school psychologist.

“It was definitely a team effort,” Filippini said.

However, despite lingering physical and mental damage, Prochnow did most of the heavy lifting.

Having tossed aside the physical crutches, he was reluctant to accept any other kind – even access to lockers on both floors of the sprawling building.

But even Prochnow has his limits.

“I didn’t mind that I was getting a little bit of help,” Prochnow said. “I like to struggle, not too much – enough is enough.”

Because of enduring short-term memory loss, Prochnow is allowed to use notes during exams.

“When I study, I have to try twice as hard as everyone because of that,” Prochnow said. “I want to be normal, but I’m not really normal.”

In the most important ways, Prochnow is better than that.

“It’s molded me into who I am now, a person with a sense of responsibility,” said Prochnow, who plans to attend Spokane Falls Community College and study psychology.