LAVELLE. IMMEDIATE. EARLY. ONCE ASSESSING THE SITUATION, I KNEW THAT BOTH FEET WERE GOING TO BE A LOSS. I KNEW THERE WASN’T PROBABLY GOING TO BE ANYTHING SALVAGEABLE. ZACK LAVELLE ON THE MOMENT HE REALIZED HIS SIX YEAR OLD SON LIAM WAS IN TROUBLE. THEY RODE TOGETHER ON THE ZERO TURN MOWER WHEN THE BLADES WERE ACTIVATED ACCIDENTALLY AS LIAM JUMPED OFF, HIS FEET WERE CAUGHT AND HE LOST BOTH OF THEM. I REALLY COULDN’T EAT. I WASN’T ABLE TO REALLY FUNCTION. AND AS TIME WENT ON, YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE TO ACCEPT IT A BIT. BUT THAT FIRST WEEK, I, YOU KNOW, YOUR HEART FEELS LIKE IT’S BEEN RIPPED OUT. BUT LIAM IS BACK HOME WITH HIS FAMILY AFTER THREE MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL. HIS MEDICAL CARE INCLUDED 19 SURGERIES TO REMOVE BONE FRAGMENTS PERFORMED SKIN GRAFTS AND EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE WOUNDS FROM INFECTION. LIAM IS AUTISTIC AND DOES NOT COMMUNICATE VERBALLY. HIS PARENTS, THOUGH, SAY THEY ARE STUNNED AT HIS EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH. HE’S ALREADY TRYING TO STAND WITHOUT PROSTHETICS. HIS RESILIENCE, HIS RESILIENCE IS WHAT IT’S IT’S GOTTEN ME THROUGH. AND IT’S SHOCKED ME COMPLETELY. IT’S AMAZING. THE AMES PARENTS ARE ALSO SHOCKED AT THE SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY. SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING AND WE ARE JUST SO. VERY SOON LIAM WILL RECEIVE HIS PROSTHETICS. IN THE MEANTIME, MORE THAN $160,000 HAS BEEN DONATED FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES. HIS FAMILY SAYS EVERY PENNY HAS BEEN PLACED INTO A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FUND CALLED THE LIAM LAVELLE TRUST FUND IN WEST
6-year-old recovering after losing both feet in mower accident
“His resilience, his resilience has gotten me through, and it shocked me completely,” said Liam’s mother, Jenna Gardowsky.
Six-year-old Liam Lavelle is now home with his parents after spending three months in the hospital.This follows a horrific accident July 30, as he rode with his father on the family’s zero-turn mower. Liam lost both feet after the blades were activated accidentally, as he attempted to get off the machine; both were amputated.He required 19 surgeries during his three-month stay in the hospital, to clean out bone debris, conduct skin graphs and protect the wounds from infection.Watch the video above to see more about Liam’s journey. “His resilience, his resilience has gotten me through, and it shocked me completely,” said Liam’s mother, Jenna Gardowsky. “It’s amazing.”Another amazing event during the difficult time is the support from the Harrison City community and well-wishers from around the country who sent everything, from cards and food, to financial donations.Within days of the accident, more than $100,000 was donated to a GoFundMe account. “The community support has been overwhelming, and we are just so thankful,” says Liam’s father Zach Lavelle, who is also a lieutenant with the Harrison City Volunteer Fire Dept.Garbowsky said she cannot express enough gratitude.”I just want to say thank you so much to our community. It means so much to our family. Support has been amazing and we are beyond grateful,” she said. Liam’s family says $160,000 has been donated, which has been placed in a special needs trust fund in Liam’s name to cover existing and future medical costs.
HARRISON CITY, Pa. —
Six-year-old Liam Lavelle is now home with his parents after spending three months in the hospital.
This follows a horrific accident July 30, as he rode with his father on the family’s zero-turn mower. Liam lost both feet after the blades were activated accidentally, as he attempted to get off the machine; both were amputated.
He required 19 surgeries during his three-month stay in the hospital, to clean out bone debris, conduct skin graphs and protect the wounds from infection.
Watch the video above to see more about Liam’s journey.
“His resilience, his resilience has gotten me through, and it shocked me completely,” said Liam’s mother, Jenna Gardowsky. “It’s amazing.”
Another amazing event during the difficult time is the support from the Harrison City community and well-wishers from around the country who sent everything, from cards and food, to financial donations.
Within days of the accident, more than $100,000 was donated to a GoFundMe account. “The community support has been overwhelming, and we are just so thankful,” says Liam’s father Zach Lavelle, who is also a lieutenant with the Harrison City Volunteer Fire Dept.
Garbowsky said she cannot express enough gratitude.
“I just want to say thank you so much to our community. It means so much to our family. Support has been amazing and we are beyond grateful,” she said.
Liam’s family says $160,000 has been donated, which has been placed in a special needs trust fund in Liam’s name to cover existing and future medical costs.
