Dog Community

Prayers requested

Posted : 7/3/2011 9:35:38 AM

My best friend called me yesterday morning to tell me her daughter's closest friends had been in a major accident. Their 6 yr old daughter Hannah was killed and their 3 yr old Owen is in critical condition with major head injuries. One other daughter has a broken leg and pelvis and one has injuries to her facial area. Mom had a concussion and has broken ribs. She's 5 months pregnant but the baby is okay. The dad is the only one that wasn't injured. They were all airlifted to Chattanooga, TN (they live in Florida) and their family and my friend's daughter have all gone to be with them. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. Here's the link to the story:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/alcohol-related-crash-in-blue-ridge-kills-6-year-old-girl-20110702-tm

Here's a picture of the family

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/3/2011 11:08:14 AM

Oh Cathy how awful. How awful for everyone. booze plus a kid mindless on summer freedom (accidents around a major holiday always seem so much worse somehow)

I will keep them in my thots & prayers. My heart breaks for them. How horribly sad.

FrisbyPI

Posted : 7/3/2011 12:16:24 PM

How unbelievably tragic. Sending my prayers for the whole family and all who love them.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 7/3/2011 4:20:04 PM

AWW, this is soo sad! Lots of vibes and prayers from me also.

CoBuHe

Posted : 7/4/2011 11:22:43 AM

Oh my goodness...this is tragic news. I am so very sorry. Definately will keep this family in my thoughts and prayers.

miranadobe

Posted : 7/4/2011 12:50:41 PM

Oh, Cathy, how horrible. They are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I hope God/the Universe whatever powers that be can restore them physically so they can try to heal the tremendous grief of losing their daughter/sister. Especially strong energy for recovery for their son in critical condition. So so awful.

cakana

Posted : 7/4/2011 12:56:43 PM

Owen finally came out of the coma this morning and recognized mom and dad, so that's reason to celebrate. Apparently he also has spinal cord damage and the dr. told mom yesterday that they didn't know if he'd walk again. They are doing neurological tests on him today. Praying that the testing results will give more reason to celebrate.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/4/2011 3:05:40 PM

that's a good first step - that he recognized them. In fact, that's huge. They always try to prepare people for the worst -- but I will keep praying. and praying .... and praying.

Let's put up the candles page! It's an easy thing to do. For prayers OR good thots -- it's a good focal page (just click it - it's a link)

cakana

Posted : 7/4/2011 4:40:00 PM

Thanks Callie!

willowchow

Posted : 7/4/2011 11:02:37 PM

I'm praying for them, Cathy. I don't even know what to say this is so horrible. . to loose a child and have one so seriously hurt. It makes me so furious to think about how fast this idiot was driving to do this much damage.

iluvjamison

Posted : 7/5/2011 7:55:15 AM

OMG . . . . . how incredibly sad.

Deb W.

JackieG

Posted : 7/5/2011 11:10:23 AM

How incredibly sad and what a senseless accident. So many lives destroyed. I'll keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 7/6/2011 6:29:44 AM

How horribly sad. Will definitely keep them in my prayers!

cakana

Posted : 7/6/2011 11:14:27 AM

Technology can be such an amazing tool sometimes. There's a website for the family on CaringBridge where you read updates on their progress and people can share their thoughts:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thinkingofthejohnsons

I had hoped to read better news on Owen...

Owen's status was basically unchanged today. He wasn't permitted much alert time today because he was so agitated last night, which led him to bite through his breathing tube. As is common after a few days in the hospital, the breathing tube will be removed tomorrow, and the doctors will replace it with a tracheotomy in his neck to help him breathe for the rest of his time on the ventilator. He'll also get a feeding tube in his belly to provide his nutrition for the time being. The doctors hope to do the orthopedic surgery necessary to repair his fractured leg at the same time, although the other two procedures are higher priority for tomorrow. Both the tracheotomy and the feeding tube are for Owen's comfort and safety as his body continues to heal, and the doctors get a clearer picture of the true nature of his injuries. Right now they intend to repeat the MRI on Thursday, and hope that the new images show a clearer picture of the injury to the spinal cord.

and then this brought tears to my eyes...(Michelle is one of the paramedics at the scene of the accident and Brooke is the 10 y.o.)

One final note on today: Though she doesn't remember it, Michelle reminded her today that when she pulled Brooke out of the car, Brooke told her, "Please go help my little brother and sisters and come back for me later." A humbling moment for all of the grown-ups in the room, for sure.

shadowsgin

Posted : 7/6/2011 3:14:12 PM

Cathy I am just seeing this, I am sending prayers to the family.