Kimmy, a Hillcrest High School junior, is now being home-schooled as she recovers. Sometimes it's painful to take a few steps but this teenager is showing strength beyond her years. Physical therapy is a daily challenge for Kimberly, part of her long road to recovery after being struck by a car walking to school.

The teenager was hit at the intersection of Broadway Avenue at Kearney Street as she was walking to school. Scott Harper was behind the wheel that morning of Sept. 22. By the time he saw Kimmy, it was too late. It was a moment that changed his life forever.

“It changes everything you do the whole day. It really does,” said Harper.

Springfield police say Kimberly was almost through the crosswalk when she was hit. Harper says it haunts him.

"I’m still a little jittery driving; I don't drive as loosely as I used to, like laid back. Just seeing kids play, you get reminded,” he said.

Now he has help healing his emotional wounds from the accident from someone he didn't expect: Bill Armstrong, Kimmy's father. The two sat down face-to-face on Monday night over a bite to eat.

"It was time to do it. It was pretty easy for me. Scott was kind of emotional. I've been able to see Kimmy heal,” said Armstrong. “Scott hasn't been able to see that."

They missed each other in the hospital halls but will now stand together before the Springfield School Board on Tuesday night to voice concerns about possible transportation cuts because of drops in school funding caused by state revenue shortfalls. Both men worry any cuts could make even more children have to walk to class -- and possibly across big, busy intersections.

"We feel it's time to change now before any more kids are hurt or killed,” said Harper.

"We feel this would be a good way for both families and victims of this accident to heal what has been broken,” said Armstrong.

Harper says his emotional struggle doesn't compare to Kimmy's physical pain and her long road to recovery.