Injured young dancer: 'Live each day to the fullest'

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - More than a hundred parents and classmates gathered Thursday to support Booker High student Isabella Smith. 

“It’s amazing to think that 23 days ago I was having surgery,” she said. 

May 22 is a day she’ll never forget.  During a routine dance rehearsal, the 17-year-old was accidentally kicked in the head and wound up in the hospital.  

“We all thought it was a minor concussion, then like 15 minutes later like 10 people were rushing into my room,” she said. 

She suffered a traumatic brain injury.  

Thursday, friends and classmates organized a benefit concert to help her family with the rising medical costs.  

Isabella’s father was also just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  In a special moment that no one saw coming, Isabella took the stage to sing for her father -- the first time since her accident. 

“It is reliving that second chance to pursue what you love. It’s all very overwhelming,” she said. “If I can take away anything from this, it’s to live each day to the fullest. You just really never know what can happen.”

The benefit raised more than $5,000.