In a remote area, a startled horse kicked a two-year-old child in the head, leaving her battling for her life.
Following the “freak accident” in the Macedon Ranges, north of Melbourne, last month, Charlotte Footner was taken to the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital.
It is believed the little child, who is active and “extremely clever,” was kicked by the family’s pet dog when it responded to a wheelbarrow tipping over.
The youngster, described by her uncle Shannon Briggs as “bright and effervescent,” will have a challenging road to recovery from her shattered skull and brain impairments.
Charlotte just spoke for the first time since the accident, and the paralysed side of her body is beginning to move again.
According to Mr. Briggs, “In the beginning, we didn’t even know whether she would live.”
The doctors have informed us that she will probably be in the hospital for months.
The little child is “doing as well as can be anticipated,” Mr. Briggs said, having recalled who her parents are.
Both of her parents, Brett and Rachel Footner, are residing at Charlotte’s side in the Ronald McDonald home.
Although it is still too early to say, it’s conceivable that Charlotte won’t make a complete recovery.
Her uncle said that she would need years of medical care, including speech therapy and specialised physiotherapy equipment, as well as more surgery on her skull.
The doctors have warned that she won’t wake up and be back to normal; rather, her recovery will be extremely gradual and she still has a long way to go, according to Mr. Briggs.
We’re trying to be strong for her family, but it’s difficult.
Charlotte is the family’s youngest member and has a lot ahead of her, so it’s difficult to hear this news, but we’re simply trying to maintain our composure.
To help with continuing expenses, the family from Gisborne, Victoria put up a GoFundMe campaign, which has received $40,000.
The money will pay for her recovery and the family’s emergency transportation, which may have included an air ambulance.
The medical personnel, according to Mr. Briggs, has provided “world-class” assistance throughout the family’s struggle.