Woman in leg brace takes fallen firefighters stair-climb challenge

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - 22- year-old Kendra Windrix has a special bond with a team of firefighters from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

"They saved my life and I would do the exact same thing for them," said Kendra.

The firefighters rescued Kendra and her mother after a horrific car accident in Antioch in 2005.
   
“He crossed the double yellow line and hit us head on." said Kendra’s mother Jessie Mellan.
   
The collision left Kendra, then 11-years-old, fighting to breathe.
      
"I hear this gurgling and it was Kendra," said Mellan.
    
One of the first responders opened her airway so she could breath.
     
"I would have buried my child if they had not been there," said Mellan.
    
11 years later, the accident has left the once Junior Olympics gymnast partially paralyzed.
   
She was a straight-A student but was permanently brain damaged who reads at the level of a second grader.
    
But she never forgot what the firefighters did then and after the accident.
    
"They always wanted to know how she was doing. When something came up they were there," said Kendra.
      
"I was able to be fortunate enough to make Kendra's graduation this summer from the program she was in. It's a nice feeling being appreciated for what we do," said firefighter Mark Rezac.
     
Kendra has found a way to say thank you.
     
Although she wears a leg brace, she is preparing to climb 110 flights of stairs in the national fallen freighters stair climb challenge in San Diego next week.
     
"I couldn't do it," said Rezac.
    
Kendra says she is taking on the challenge for one member of the rescue team in particular, Willie West who died of cancer four years ago.   
    
"Willie is like my family." said Kendra.
    
Kendra says she's looking forward to the challenge and her mother couldn't be happier.
      
"This is my kid. You bet your buns I'm proud," she said.