'Miracle' mom wakes up from 5-year coma - in time to watch her son's football game

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By Nasima Khatun

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In a truly wholesome and unbelievable moment, this "miracle mom" woke up from a five-year coma just in time to watch her son's football game.

Jennifer Flewellen stunned the local community after she made a surprise appearance at one of her son's football games after recently waking up from a five-year coma.

The mom - who is from Niles, Michigan - was involved in a devastating car accident back in September 2017, and after four years and 11 months exactly, she finally woke up.

Speaking to WNDU, Jennifer's mom, Peggy Means, opened up about the incident.

"Nobody expected her to wake up," she told the outlet. "We were told all along that she has anoxia and that the brain damage, she’ll never wake up, but you never say never."

While she was in the coma, Jennifer subsequently missed out on two of her son's Senior Nights but she wanted to be there for her third son, Julian, who was celebrating the occasion in October.

"She started them in football when they were in Rocket football, and she said, I don’t want my kids on the streets; I want them in sports," Peggy said. "And she really pushed them, and she was a big screamer. Everybody that knew Jenn, she was very loud. They [her kids] used to say; I couldn’t even hear my coach, Mom - you were louder than the coach."

After experiencing such fond memories with their mother, her sons' were exceptionally happy to see her make a return to the football field.

And luck was definitely on their side as Julian scored the game's opening touchdown and finished with three touchdowns and well over 100 yards securing an overall 56-18 Niles win.

Seeing the moment, a close friend of Jennifer's, Sara Macon told WNDU: "Just having the opportunity to have her here to support him and letting everyone know that she is thriving and she’s continuing to get better, and we’re just still in shock that it’s even possible that she’s here."

"It’s nothing short of a miracle she’s here tonight for her youngest son’s senior night," added another friend called Cassie Lee.

Jennifer was allowed to go home almost a year after she woke up in hospital in August last year. Her mom retired so that she could take care of her going forward.

"And I think what’s been a driving force is being able to watch her kids, but really, her mom has been with her," Sara said. "Her mom has been an incredible caretaker and has been with her every single day since her accident, and has been determined to get her home, and after six years, she’s finally back home."

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Jennifer's son Julian scored the game's opening touchdown and finished with three touchdowns. Credit: Bernhard Lang/Getty

While Jennifer still has a long way to go in her recovery journey, we're so happy to see that she's making good progress. We hope this continues!

Featured Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/Getty