For the family of Ashlee Stokes, even the slightest cough is a reason to rejoice.

'��They told us it would be a very long road,'�� said Ashlee'��s mother, Karen Stokes. '��Every little movement is another step forward.'��

The Slidell teenager has been in a coma since May 25, when an allegedly drunk driver crossed the center line on Fish Hatchery Road in Lacombe and slammed head-on into a car that Ashlee was driving. The girl received severe head injuries and was airlifted to University Hospital in New Orleans, then transferred to the pediatric ICU at Tulane Hospital.

Ashlee Stokes

The accident sent shock waves through her Slidell neighborhood and has rallied friends, family and even strangers to her side. The outpouring of support led a cousin to set up a Web site just a few days after the accident to help keep everyone updated on Ashlee'��s progress. To date, nearly 200 prayers and other messages of support have been posted.

One is from Tori Bergeron, who mentored the 15-year-old when she joined the varsity cheerleading squad at Northshore High School. Calling Ashlee '��the best '��little sis'�� you could ask for,'�� Bergeron noted that she knew from experience what she was going through, and she shared that experience with Karen Stokes on a recent hospital visit.

'��A new doctor had come in last week, and he was very direct about Ashlee'��s chances for recovery,'�� said Karen. '��He used words such as '��unlikely'��, and it was a real blow.'��

Karen said a nurse came in at that moment to announce the Stokes family had visitors. It was Bergeron and her mother, who had heard about the accident that very day and drove immediately to the hospital.

Bergeron was in a similar accident in 2006, and her family was also told that the prospects for recovery were slim.

'��It was so inspiring to see this young girl who had been through this exact thing and know she made a full recovery,'�� Karen said.

Visitors have filed in and out of the ICU to visit with the Stokes family. The entire NHS cheering squad has stopped by, and another friend, Chris Eschete, has written and recorded a song for the girl.

In addition, another family friend, Eddie Deckwa, has arranged a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Community Christian Church on July 19 from 4-8 p.m.

The Stokes family just met Deckwa, the father of one of Ashlee'��s classmates, about a month before the accident. Deckwa needed help with pest control for his new restaurant, Eddie D'��s, and David Stokes, a Terminix sales representative, gave him a call.

'��The first thing he said when he met me was how great he thought Ashlee was,'�� said David. '��He'��s just been an angel since the accident.'��

Deckwa has continuously provided food for the family since the accident, and proceeds from the fundraiser will help the family with medical expenses.

Tickets are $10, and raffle prizes will include gift cards to local stores, signed Saints items and a riding lawn mower. The church is located at 1470 W. Lindberg Drive in Slidell.

A bank account has also been set up in Ashlee'��s name at Central Progressive Bank. Donations may be made at any CPB branch or mailed to Ashlee in care of Cindy Wilson, P.O. Box 101, Mandeville, LA 70470.

Ashlee'��s progress is slow, but good. She is no longer breathing with a ventilator, has moved her toes and fingers and has coughed a few times. She still has not moved in response to a command, however, which doctors tell the family will be the next big step.

The family is coping by keeping a verse from 2 Corinthians as their mantra.

'��It says, '��we walk by faith, and not by sight,'��'�� said Karen. '��We can'��t go back, we can only move forward.'��

For more information on the July 19 fundraiser or donations, e-mail Cindy Wilson at cinnyv@yahoo.com.