Daddy-daughter duo complete Disney Princess 5K after ‘miracle’ car crash recovery

The head-on car accident in June 2022 was horrific. It nearly left 7-year-old Brooklyn Harrison unable to walk and with a traumatic brain injury. Her father, Jasen, suffered a collapsed lung, broken wrists and multiple lacerations.

The chances that both of them would be well enough to participate in this year’s Disney Princess 5K run was a long-shot.

But they did. On Feb. 24, the daddy-daughter duo from DeLand, Florida, holding hands, ran the Disney Princess 5K together, stopping at times to meet various princesses.

“Crossing the finish line is always the best part. We weren’t really able to train too much because we didn’t really get the all clear until just about three months ago,” Jasen Harrison said. “So, you know, just kind of staying active at home when we could and going outside on walks with the dogs, things like that. That’s pretty much been the majority of our training.”

As a result of the near-fatal car accident, Brooklyn was knocked unconscious and spent six days in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other challenges, including double vision. Due to her spinal injury, doctors said she may never walk again.

“She was sent home in a net collar that she couldn’t move. She couldn’t take a shower. They expected that to be on for 12 full months. We went to our 3-month checkup after that and they took it off at that checkup. So after the accident, you know, there was a lot of unknowns, especially with a blood clot on top of the brain, the frontal lobe damage that she had,” her father said.

“She’s been brave and tough throughout the whole thing,” he said, “which has been a miracle.”

Jasen spent seven days in the hospital with a collapsed lung, broken wrist and multiple lacerations. Doctors said his lung may never completely heal which would make running a challenge. Jasen’s girlfriend was also in the car and suffered injuries.

This is Brooklyn’s third 5K. Jasen ran The Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon) during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January.

Jasen is very passionate about running and when Brooklyn asked to do a 5K with him last year, “that was like the best moment.” After doing a 5K she asked to continue, so they are now running buddies.

“I never want to force her to do it, but she’s always, you know, right there behind me like, ‘Yes, do it,'” he said. Jasen will also be running the 10K and Half-Marathon this weekend.

And while they both still deal with lingering issues from the accident, Jasen said he is grateful for life and the ability to continue to run with his daughter.