A 4-year-old Holts Summit girl was in better spirits Thursday, her father said, while recovering from injuries suffered in a lawn mower accident.
Faith Rowell was at a family member's home Tuesday when she ran outside and was accidentally run over by a riding lawn mower. The young girl was transported to Capitol Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to the University of Missouri Hospital where she endured a three-hour surgery. Her father, Todd Rowell, was at work during the accident and rushed to the hospital to care for her.
"I just drove and drove," he said. "I felt like I was in shock. It felt like I was in a movie ... It didn't feel like it was real."
Doctors had to amputate her right foot and a portion of that leg, Todd Rowell said as a result of what he called a freak accident and not the fault of anyone. Her left wrist and hand were also injured.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 1,302 children ages 0-4 were injured in lawn mower accidents in 2011. There were also 2,478 children ages 5-14 who suffered injuries from lawn mowers in the same year.
About 34,000 consumers were treated annually from 2010-2012 in hospital emergency rooms across the country because of lawn mower accidents, according to the commission. From 2007-2009, the commission estimated an average of 90 lawn mower-related deaths per year.
Since her surgery, Todd Rowell said Faith has been unable to eat and faces nightmares about the accident when she falls asleep. She perked up on Wednesday, though, and was excited to eat an apple. She also found joy in blowing bubbles.
Faith cares for her own garden with her father, growing tomatoes. It's such a passion for Faith that she asked to water her tomatoes before heading into surgery.
She, of course, had to leave her plants unattended, but Todd Rowell took a moment to return home after a day at the hospital and watered Faith Rowell's tomatoes. That, he said, made her smile for the first time since the accident.
The father-daughter duo is frequently outside planting, fishing and splashing at Fulton Water Works in Memorial Park.
"I'm an outdoors person and my goal is to share that with my daughter," Todd Rowell said.
Todd Rowell said he's a devout Christian and faith in God has helped him and Faith through this hard time. They've discussed why her name is "Faith" and why it's important to be true to God. Their beliefs have also helped when Faith posed a serious question.
"She asked me why she wasn't killed and I just told her it was God," Todd Rowell said.
Support from family, friends and even strangers is also helping the Rowells - Todd, Faith and Faith's mother, June Rowell - as the 4-year-old continues to heal. Todd Rowell said he has been overwhelmed by the good thoughts, kind words and prayers for Faith and wants to thank each person individually for his or her kindness.
"I feel like we're all one in this thing - getting through the pain," he said.
The father also gave special thanks to the Holts Summit Police Department and all the first responders who cared for Faith.
"I know it was hard for the first responders to see (the injuries)," Todd Rowell said. "I know it was hard for the police."
To help with medical costs, a Go Fund Me online fundraising account has been established. Cindy Bauter, a close friend of Todd Rowell's from college, set up the account, which has raised $1,975 within a day.
The goal is $10,000 to cover out-of-pocket medical costs when the immediate deductible and insurance percentage coverage maxes out. Living in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, Bauter said she felt the fundraising site was a way she and other out-of-town friends and family to reach out to the Rowells.
"Everyone feels helpless," she said. "We couldn't be there to him them a hug - that physical contact."
Bauter said she knows when Faith Rowell leaves the hospital, the costs will continue because Faith will need physical therapy.
"We're just trying to make sure he isn't wiped out from the accident," Bauter said.
Todd Rowell said Faith will be in the hospital for at least another week, depending on how her wound heals and improvements with physical therapy. She will have to learn how to walk with a prosthetic. A ramp will have to be installed at their home for when she leaves the hospital.
Faith Rowell will undergo another surgery this morning and could go through more in order to fit her prosthetic correctly, her father said.
Moving forward, Todd Rowell said he retains hope for his daughter, adding that hope is another word for faith. He said he plans on watching his daughter play basketball, fish and graduate college in the future.
"She will come out a strong person because of this injury - head and shoulders above the rest," he said.