Las Vegas shooting victim Jessica Milam from Sanger taken off ventilator

Las Vegas shooting victim Jessica Milam was talking again and breathing on her own Wednesday morning after being taken off a ventilator at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas.

“We are thankful to hear her voice again and have her recognize us and her surroundings,” her father, Ed Milam, said Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Sanger native and Disneyland employee continues to undergo dialysis to address damage to her kidney and liver after she was shot in the abdomen Oct. 1 in the deadly mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. She remained in an intensive care unit, but her father said the progress she was making is “extremely encouraging.”

“We thank everyone and please keep supporting her recovery, as we still have hurdles and concerns,” Ed Milam said. “Continue to pray and send great thoughts. It’s working for her.”

A prayer circle was held in her hometown of Sanger last week, and a GoFundMe donation page was set up by one of her friends to help with Milam’s recovery.

Milam is a graduate of Sanger High School who works in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland assisting guests and helping operate attractions. She formerly worked for the Fresno Grizzlies and Walt Disney World through the Disney College Program. She lives in Anaheim and previously attended Cal State Fullerton and Reedley College.

This story was originally published October 11, 2017 at 1:20 PM with the headline "Las Vegas shooting victim Jessica Milam from Sanger taken off ventilator."