A young girl lost her leg after she ran behind a reversing ride-on lawnmower.
3-year-old Abigail Reardon was playing outside with her 6-year-old sister, Alexa, when she was ‘backed over by a ride-on lawnmower.’
She was left requiring five operations and an amputation.
Her mother, Sarah, told WDHD that she was ‘very, very grateful that it wasn’t worse.’ She now wants to warn other parents to be wary of the dangers of lawnmowers.
“I am grieving and crushed, for what happened, but she is still my girl. She is still the same silly, goofy, happy little three-year-old and that personality just came back to life in the hospital,” Sarah expressed.
“As devastated as I am by what happened to her, it was this weird mix of being very very grateful that it wasn’t worse. It easily could have been.”
Sarah added: “If you’re mowing, there’s no need for them be outside playing especially around the lawnmower or tractor, and certainly don’t give rides on it, it is a dangerous machine.”
Her friend, Karen, setup a GoFundMe for the little girl, explaining Abigail will need prosthetic legs, further surgeries, and therapies.
“Right now, it is overwhelming to process everything coming at this little girl and her family,” Karen wrote.
“Abigail has a very long journey ahead of further surgeries, potentially more plastic surgeries, lots of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling.”
Sarah admitted that her older daughter had been traumatized after witnessing the incident.
“Alexa is doing OK since witnessing the accident, and has done well with the start of virtual school, but is very sensitive to the sound of lawnmowers, and struggling with separation anxiety and fear of death.
She added: “It’s a lot for a six-year-old to carry in her little mind. I’ve been unable to line up counselling for her yet (thanks COVID) but still trying.”
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