17 is sweeter than 16 for victim of crash

Spending her Sweet 16 birthday in a hospital room after suffering a severe head injury in a 2008 crash caused by a drunken driver, Ashlee Stokes now is able to celebrate her "Super Sweet 17" birthday bash in style on Saturday.

On Memorial Day 2008, the then-15-year-old saw headlights coming toward her. She spent the next five months hospitalized.

The Northshore High School cheerleader is now struggling to relearn rudimentary skills, such as walking and talking.

Her actual birthday is today, but she's having her party Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Community Christian Church, 1460 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, in the church's Life Center building. Tickets are $10, with proceeds paying for the event and any leftover funds going toward expenses related to Ashlee's recovery.

"The party is to celebrate her life, her birthday and her being with us," said her mother, Karen Stokes. "We want her to see, to be able to experience all those people who were there with her last year... and to let her know how special she is to everybody."

The ticket price includes a chicken dinner provided by Eddie D's Restaurant and entry into raffle drawings that include gift certificates for various business. People need not be present at the party to win raffle prizes.

Ashlee has asked for a tiered cake with pink polka dots.

There are rumors of Saints' paraphernalia being auctioned off as well, signed items given to Ashlee by Saints players who have heard her story.

Tickets and Ashlee bracelets can be purchased at Eddie D's Restaurant, Lenny's Subs and at the Subway in the Wal-Mart on Northshore Boulevard.

Monetary donations may be sent to P.O. Box 101, Mandeville, LA 70471 to the attention of Cindy Wilson, or at any Central Progressive Bank.

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