Long Journey Back is a 1978 made-for-TV coming-of-age drama film based on the Gilchrest Road, New York crossing accident in which a Nyack High School bus was struck and sliced down the middle by a train, killing 5 people and injuring more than 40 others.

Zimbalist's character, as well as Katy Kurtzman's, were based on real-life sisters Irene and Joan Ferrara, who were severely injured in the accident.

She is unable to talk, but she gradually learns to write and make basic noises, and she conveys to her mother that she still feels phantom pain in the missing limb.

She also comes to realize that the only reason men and boys are so nice to her versus other disabled youth is because she is attractive and can pass for non-disabled if she wears long skirts.

She begins visiting classrooms while also re-attending school in her spare time, and she shows the students her artificial leg, explaining to them that being disabled is nothing to be ashamed of.