Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s how a person comes back from hardship that defines them.
In 2020, a car accident changed everything for USC Upstate student Reygan Lawson ’25. Her car flipped three times and landed upside down, leaving her with five spinal fractures and a broken shoulder. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she spent hours waiting in a crowded hospital hallway, uncertain about her future.
As a cosmetologist, the injuries felt career-ending. Each workday brought constant pain and sleepless nights as she tried to adjust. Despite countless treatments, nothing brought relief. Lawson began to wonder if she could continue doing what she loved.
“I refused to give up.”
Through persistence and determination, she rebuilt her strength and resilience. Today, Lawson says her flexibility has returned, her pain is manageable, and her outlook is stronger than ever.
She credits her recovery to faith and perseverance — and hopes her story reminds others that setbacks are often setups for comebacks.
After her accident, Lawson’s path to healing led her back to the classroom. She chose USC Upstate for a fresh start — one that allowed her to continue growing personally and professionally.
“Upstate has been part of my healing…being here reminded me that I’m capable of more than I thought.”