"Guess who stepped in. Yep, Brandi," DeForest said. "She got a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness and recovered a fumble."
DeForest said getting used to the fact that so many of the things her daughter enjoyed just months ago, like playing basketball, playing a game of chase with her children and spending quality time with her family, are no longer possible.
"I can't get accustomed to the fact that she's not going to be running through my front door," DeForest said. "Our house is not handicap accessible and she will not be able to come over for Christmas."
She also said Brandi is missing out on visits with her 83-year-old grandfather "Pop," who "she adores."
"He lives in a house with nine steps going straight up," DeForest said.
The biggest impact, according to DeForest, is the fact that her free-spirited, strong-willed daughter has lost her independence.
"My daughter has fallen on many occasions," she said, adding that she has to call on her parents, who live less than a mile, away for help. "Do you know she always apologizes to us? Can you believe that? It hurts to have her tell us how sorry she is for needing so much."
She also said during the sentencing hearing that just days before the attack Brandi, who was working 50-55 hours per week to raise her children, discovered she could do it all on her own.
But "the worst" emotion her daughter has struggled with is the fact that despite her beauty and fun-loving spirit, Brandi could spend the rest of her life alone.
"I think for her the worst is that she thinks she is going to be alone for the rest of her life, that nobody will every want to marry her again, now that she is in a wheelchair," DeForest said.
Furthermore, DeForest said even after months, certain fears remain for Brandi.
"She won't sit with her back to the door at a restaurant, and in large crowds, one of us has to walk behind her," DeForest said. "She jumps when someone approaches her from behind and touches her. She says she looks at people differently now. She's always wondering if they could have the intention of stabbing her."
And what about Olivia, Brandi's nine-year-old daughter?
"For months, she slept with a baseball bat next to her bed," DeForest said, adding that Brandi's five-year-old son, Lincoln, has also been effected by the incident.
And DeForest said had he not attacked her, Howard might have found a sense of hope in Brandi's spirit.
"Mr. Howard, do you know the ironic thing about this? If you would have went to that (park) bench and sat down and talked to her, Brandi would have talked your leg off, treated you with respect and told you many stories about her children," DeForest said. "I know you have been tormented and I hope, while incarcerated, you learn how special you are in God's eyes."
When it comes to the mental health system, DeForest said Howard had in some way been a victim of improper care.
"Our system for helping people in your condition is a failure and needs to be changed," she said. "I make a promise to you and Brandi, I am going to do everything in my power to bring this to our lawmakers' attention."
Meanwhile, as Brandi was greeted by a barrage of media personnel as she exited the courtroom Wednesday, she said she was "excited" that the trial had come to an end.
"I am excited about being able to put this behind me and go forward," Brandi said, adding that she is ready to get back to work and therapy and working on walking again.
Doctors have told Brandi she has a less than one percent chance of walking again, but she testified Tuesday she has seen some improvements since making a trip to California and undergoing therapy at Project Walk and intends to continue therapy here at home.
"If you had seen her work (at regaining her ability to walk), you would believe that she will walk again," DeForest said.
For Brandi, the verdict was not all about herself and the pain her family has endured.
"I'm not worried about me, I've already survived being stabbed," Brandi said, adding she is relieved there is now a chance Howard will not hurt anyone else for the next 20 years.
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