ABOVE: Kristin Fox returns to her Poland home Tuesday with her new prosthetic legs. Correspondent photos / Sean Barron

POLAND — Rick Birch fondly recalled having walked his daughter Kristin Fox out of the hospital shortly after her birth, then walking her down the aisle when she got married.

Nevertheless, he said nothing compared to seeing his beloved daughter walk for the first time with her prosthetic legs.

“She’s resilient. When she makes up her mind to do something, she stays the course until she gets it done. She’s made everybody in this family strong,” Birch said shortly after Fox returned Tuesday afternoon to her Alverne Drive home after having spent several weeks in Pittsburgh, where she was fitted for a set of prosthetic legs.

Earlier this year, Fox had both arms and legs amputated below the elbows and knees, the result of several medications she had to take for extremely low blood pressure, which also compromised her circulation while she was in the hospital. This summer, she received her prosthetic arms.

More recently, Fox, 39, was in UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she received the new legs. While there, she underwent aquatic, physical and occupational therapy about three hours daily for gait training to strengthen her core muscles, she said.

On her first day, Fox’s walking distance was less than 200 feet, but she has been able to increase it to more than 500 feet, she said proudly. It also was easier for her to maneuver with her new legs than when she received the prosthetic arms a few months ago, Fox recalled.

“I got up quickly the first day and I was up and moving,” she said, adding that being more mobile also has improved her breathing, and that she has no pain.

In addition, the experience in Pittsburgh has helped to strengthen her mentally, and has further solidified her resolve to resume a normal life as soon as possible.

To that end, Fox said two of her main ambitions are to return to her job as an assistant principal in the Campbell School District within three to four weeks, as well as to no longer need a walker by March 9, 2021, which will mark the one-year anniversary since she was first hospitalized. Nevertheless, her goals don’t stop there.

“I will definitely drive again,” she said.

Fox added that one of the most uplifting aspects to her story is witnessing children’s inspiration, as well as using her example to demonstrate that they can overcome nearly any type of adversity.

One of those inspired by Fox’s drive, determination and personality is Gianna Saxon, 10, a Girard Intermediate School student whose mother, Lisa Saxon, is one of Kristin’s closest friends.

“I really missed her when she was in the hospital,” Gianna said. “It’s a great feeling for her to have her legs and that she can walk. She’s incredible. I know she loves us to death and would do anything for me.”

Gianna added that she enjoys visits to the Fox household, which often means using the family’s backyard swimming pool during the summer and spending time with Fox’s children, Laiken, 7, and Landon, 9.

Seven months ago, Fox’s future looked grim, because family and friends weren’t sure if she would survive her ordeal. Her determination, however, is largely responsible for all of the huge obstacles she’s overcome, observed Fox’s sister, Lauren Baco of Boardman.

Before she sets foot in her office, though, Fox will have achieved another goal: to go on a two- or three-day camping trip near Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pa., on Oct. 23.

She plans to be among the 27 family members and friends to embark on the 11th annual getaway, which this year will take on elevated importance, Lisa Saxon said.

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