I have been following the story of 2-year-old Lexi Antorino in the news. This was such a sad accident to happen
to a child.
She is such a beautiful little girl.
There are a several articles that talk about the accident that happened a few days ago in Palmetto.
- Palmetto girl, 2, crushed by swings
- Mom: Pray for my little girl
- Family prays for Lexi's recovery
- Swing-set mishap 'tragic accident'
- Fund set up for Lexi
- Test discovers signs of brain activity in Lexi
A 14 year old family member had taken the little girl and 2 others to the park to play and while swinging, "a section of the swings crashed forward, a support pole struck the girl, bursting the main blood vessel in her brain and fracturing the top of her spinal cord." She had stopped breathing, but a neighbor of the park that heard the screams when it happened performed CPR on her. She may have died then if he hadn't.
She was flown to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg where she has remained in a coma with no brain activity until yesterday. Late yesterday afternoon, tests discovered signs of brain activity in Lexi. It was also stated that her blood pressure rises when her family talks to her, which is a sign that she may be able to hear her family.
The parents of Lexi are Sarah Parkinson, 21 and fiancee' Nicholas Antorino, 22. They have been together since they were 15. They live in Palmetto and are expecting their second child, a boy to be named Nicholas Jr., in February.
"More than 200,000 children annually are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with playground equipment. Each year, about 50,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency rooms because of injuries on home playground equipment, according to the CPSC."
A fund has been set up for Lexi. If you would like to donate, please visit any Synovus Bank and give Lexi's name. For more information, call the bank at 941-757-2265.
A candlelit prayer vigil was scheduled for 8:15 p.m. today at Church on the Rock, 1401 14th Ave. W. in Palmetto.
Please keep this little girl in your prayers! And if you want to do something nice for someone, please donate to the fund for Lexi.
Update: Hundreds turned out for the prayer vigil. See the article here.
Update: As of Friday Dec 14th, Lexi's condition remains unchanged.
Update: Monday Dec 17th. Lexi's condition still remains unchanged. Candy & prayers are pouring into Lexi. "Sarah Parkinson said she and her husband have decided not to do anything extraordinary to save Lexi if her organs fail - but if the child keeps fighting they will fight along with her. Lexi's kidneys began to fail last week, but medication reversed the problem and her kidneys are working again, her mother said."
Update: Saturday Dec 22, 2007. Tests revealed Brain activity on Thursday, but doctors say it is unlikely Lexi will ever wake up. Lexi's parents marry in her honor.
Update: I was out of town, so didn't have a chance until today to follow up on how she is doing. As of Dec 28th, Lexi's family celebrates after Christmas visit. Her condition remains unchanged. She is still hanging in there though. Here is the video of Lexi on YouTube.
Update: Jan 5th, I found a MySpace page for Lexi. It is getting harder and harder to find updates on her condition.
Update: Jan 23rd, Investigation: Swing set collapse caused by missing bolts and no anchors. Lexi has shown some movement, but still remains in a coma.
Update: For more related posts about Lexi, please click here.
Update: Feb 16th, Upcoming Fishing Tournament Proceeds To Benefit Lexi Antorino.
Just for the record, I am not related to Lexi or her family in any way. I have never met them or spoke to them. I didn't want to confuse anyone if I did. I read the story about her in the newspapers and felt compelled to write about her in hopes that prayers will work for her. She is a bright beautiful little girl that I hope will pull through this.
;)
;)
