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.
from Lexi and her Mom and Dad, ,Thank you
Keep praying, its working, the swelling is down this morning and our spirts are very high right now
last nights candlelight vigil was very uplifting and really bighten all spirts ThANK YOU ALL
keep the faith going
papou
Becky I too having been following her story, it is so tragic. I pray for her full recovery everyday.
Melonie
Thanks for the comments and prayers everyone. There is still hope that she will make it through this. Anything is possible, including miracles.
I had not seen this thank you Becky for bringing it to my attention. I will add her to the prayer list here and remind the pastor to check that equipment now. Renovation of our existing playground was to start in the next few weeks while we had cold weather, but the weather opened back up and it was put off. This is being forwarded to him right this minute. So sad the statistics that you posted.
Sad, Sad, Sad. She's adorable!
I'll keep her in my prayers! And with all of us praying God will answer!
Becky, I just wanted to thank you for your setting up this blog. I am Lexi's father's cousin and live in Ohio and I was having a hard time finding any information and updates on this beautiful little girl. It is comforting to know that there is so much support and prayer flowing through your community for Lexie, Nick and Sarah. God bless you!
To Lexi's family, I'm glad I am able to at least help you stay informed with the updates. I try to check a few different websites to see how she is doing at least once or twice a day. I will continue to post updates as I find them, so please keep checking back.
You are also welcome to post any updates here as well to let everyone else know how she is doing.
here is a video of the little girl Lexi posted on you-tube
link -go to- you tube and then paste - Lexi Antorino and it should come up on you -tube
I have been praying for this little one since I first heard of her accident. We have placed her on prayer chains across this country and I trust that God will reach down and do what only he can....
God Bless the Antorino family. You are all in our prayers.
Lexi's story actually made my heart ache. I'll be sending my prayers too.
Keeping this family and beautiful little girl in my prayers everyday. Wishing her a full recovery.
Keep the faith and stay strong. Concerned Tampa resident following the story closely. Ive added Lexi to prayer lists in Churches in our area as well, also trying to figure out a way to do a fund-raiser for this family. Any thoughts please comment.
God Bless this little girl.
Stacee (Tampa)
lexi is in our prayers and i hope u all are doing well too, she is a beautiful girl she has a whole life ahead of her and in the future she will look back and know the god was watching down on her!!
I live in Riverview and my husband works in Palmetto and I was just now made aware of this horrible accident from the news alittle while ago and got on the internet to find out more information. This story really touched my heart especially because I take my two little girls, 4 and 2, to public parks often. My prayers go out to Lexi and her family and I pray that she fully recovers and that there is more awareness for inspections of childrens equipment. Please let me know of any new updates....
Thse is such a sad and terrible accident; but God has His own way. I am sure that something extraordinary is going to happen. Lexi is going to wake up to give Glory to God.
My prays are with all the Antorino Family, with babysitter Joanne and Lexi. May God and our Blessed Mother Virgen May keep you strong and faithfull always.
My friends and I are starting a fundraiser for Lexi. We are going to sell our old things that we don't use any more And give the money to Lexis family. We hope that she will be ok. She is in our prayers
Lexi is now on the prayer list at Howard Christian Church, Howard Ohio.
We look forward to Gods healing power!
this is stupid! its almost been a year and nothing.
i wish someone could just wake her up!
Joanna Janney
I would like to know somw updated info on her condition and how the family is holding up?
I am a mother of four and don't even take my kids to the park anymore in fear of something happening. It is a shame to live in fear. I hope she pulls through. She is beautiful inside and out. If not I hope she stands right next to god in his protective arms where she will be safe and happy and watch over us all.
Mother of four