PITTSBURGH -- One year ago, Lena Carson was pulling straight As at the city's Creative and Performing Arts Magnet school, located across the river from her parents' home. She also swam at the local YMCA every day in preparation for the annual state competition and enjoyed the everyday social life of a teenager.
Today, she is sitting at home. Again.
It has been nearly a year since she was able to walk into CAPA, to which she had to earn admission through a portfolio of her work, and interact with her teachers or friends.
Her daily swims are gone, along with her social life. Her outside activities have diminished to walking the dog around the block.