Penny's Crazy Train: Miracles DO Happen
On February 15, 2020, our lives were forever changed when our sweet 16-month-old daughter, Penny, ventured through our back screen door into the backyard, where she accidentally fell into the lake behind our home and drowned. When we found her, she was face down in the water, unresponsive, and later discovered to be in full cardiac arrest. Little Penny was gone for over an hour before doctors called my wife into her room at the ER to say goodbye. My wife took her by the hand and told her she wasn't ready for her to go yet. Miraculously, within moments, Penny's heart started beating, prompting the doctors to spring back into action. She then spent two months in the hospital during the height of COVID-19 on a ventilator until finally being discharged on April 15th. We were blessed to have her return home with us, although not as the same child she once was. Penny suffered severe brain damage as a result of the accident, presenting significant challenges for our entire family. It was difficult going from the happy, smiley little girl that she once was to seeing her unable to play and enjoy life in the same ways her siblings do. She currently receives 24/7 home nursing care and has been undergoing aggressive treatment for anoxic brain injury seven days a week. Due to the nature of her injury, insurance does not cover any of her therapy, leading my wife and me to establish a platform named 'Penny's Crazy Train to Recovery' (inspired by Ozzy's famous tune, which was her favorite song before her accident) on social media. This platform keeps everyone who loves and supports her informed about her therapies and the status of her recovery journey. www.facebook.com/pennyscrazytrain
By the grace of God, Penny has made remarkable progress thanks to our relentless efforts in various types of therapy, but we cannot do it without the support from our community. We have many future plans centered around children's therapy funding to ensure she and others receive the necessary help. Ultimately, we aspire to establish a foundation in Penelope's name to assist other families affected by similar injuries, as non-fatal drowning is far more common than most realize, creating a challenging reality for countless families.
When my daughter was injured, I repeatedly thought about how alone she must have felt at the time of her drowning, but the deeper I contemplated, the more I realized someone was looking out for her that day. I take solace in knowing she has a divine purpose, as she would not still be alive otherwise. So many believe in her—especially us—and we will continue to champion her cause through every step of Penny's recovery story, no matter how long it takes!