YOUphoria Day Spa treats mother to day of pampering

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 by Matthew Girard

Whitney Skipper gets a facial and massage during YOUphoria Day Spa and Salon’s “Holiday Makeover” last Sunday.After numerous submissions, YOUphoria Day Spa and Salon awarded a local mother of two a day of pampering with a complete Holiday makeover last Sunday.

YOUphoria owner Kerry King said the spa wanted to give someone a makeover to help brighten their holidays.

"We asked people to nominate themselves or somebody else on Facebook that they believed deserved a holiday makeover," King said. "After that, we took all of the nominations and put them in our breakroom for our employees to read the stories and at the end voted for who they felt was the most deserving."

Despite the many deserving candidates, the salon staff chose Moody resident Whitney Skipper.

Skipper, who was nominated by her mother Karen Goff, was shocked when she received the news of being chosen for the makeover.

"This is something I would never do for myself. She didn't tell me she was going to do it, but it's a blessing," Skipper said.

In July, Skipper was involved in a roll-over accident on S.H. 317. While driving her grandmother's Tahoe, the vehicle rolled several times and Skipper was ejected from the vehicle. She was then transported to Scott & White.

Despite the horrific accident, Skipper's injuries were not life threatening, but she had eight transverse fractures from her C4 vertebrae and her pelvis was broken in two places.

Although her injuries didn't require surgery, Skipper had to be placed in a rehab facility in Waco for several months to learn occupational therapy and learn how to adjust to being in a wheelchair.

Because of her extended stay, Skipper's disability insurance eventually ran out and was ultimately out of work for a couple of months. But thanks to friends and family, Skipper recently returned to work.

"I know it tugged on my heartstrings because my husband was involved in a similar accident," King said.

Although Skipper is on her way to making a full recovery, she said that taking the time and money out to treat herself hasn't been an option.

"I have to make sure I have enough money for diapers and everything, so I would never take the time to do something like this," Skipper said.

During the day, Skipper was treated to a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and a haircut.

"I have never had a massage before, so it was great," Skipper said. "That's what I was looking forward to the most."

King said the idea for the holiday makeover came after the spa participated in a special makeover give-away earlier in the year.

"It was really fun and we enjoyed seeing the difference we made, so we wanted to do it again and decided on giving away a holiday makeover," King said. "We try to donate to just about every charity that comes through the door. We try to give back to the community and we really love to do makeovers."

King said YOUphoria will be giving away a Mother's Day and Back-to-School makeover next year.

Skipper said she was excited to receive the makeover and is keeping a positive attitude.

"Everything could always be worse," Skipper said. "I'm just thankful that I can walk and that my kids weren't with me."

Skipper's massage was performed by Stephenie Richards, her facial was performed by Angie Gutierrez, her manicure and pedicure were perfsormed by Janie Brown, her haircut and style was performed by Sonja Bell-Clark and her make up was performed by Cindy Bilbrey.

Three runner's up received $50 gift certificates to the spa.

For more information about YOUphoria's makeover give-aways, call (254) 939-7732 or visit www.youphoriadayspa.com.

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