FRANKLIN, Mass. — Abigail Reardon is a tenacious three-year-old toddler. Her mother, Sarah Reardon, says she is recovering well after a horrible lawn mower accident on Aug. 22.
Sarah says Abby is doing well, “Far better than all the adults in her life.”
Abby is learning to live with an amputation after her left leg from her mid-calf down had to be amputated. Reardon says, “It’s very manageable now, she’s not in a lot of pain day-to-day.”
Her mom says it happened very quickly. The driver of the lawn mower is not being identified since it was an accident. Reardon says, “She was out playing and the lawn mower was put into reverse and she was there.”
Abby was rushed to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. It was the closest trauma center to Carver where the accident took place. Five surgeries later, Abby is on the mend. Her mom says, “She’s got an amazing, determined, resilient little spirit.”
Reardon says it’s been a tough month and she wants parents to be aware of how dangerous lawn mowers can be, saying, “They’re obviously very dangerous machines. I’ve learned way more statistics than I wanted to about what happens to over 9,000 children a year.”
That statistic comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. They have advice for parents saying children should be indoors while lawn mowers are being used.
Abby has a long road ahead, and her mom Sarah says a GoFundMe page has raised more than $60,000 to date with a goal of $100,000 to help pay for prosthetics and treatment for Abby.
“Whether it’s $5 or $1,000, I make a personal effort to thank each person,” Reardon said.
That’s part of the silver lining. People have been so generous. The other part of that silver lining, says Reardon, is Abby’s incredible spirit and sheer will to keep going forward.
“Her ability to just overcome whatever is thrown at her, and I believe in her. I know she can do it,” she said.
To visit the GoFundMe page, click here.
Cox Media Group
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