Grandson, 4, Badly Injured in a Totally Preventable Accident
Posted: Sunday, October 30, 2011
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers …
Sometimes in life there seems to be no option for relief, no pill to alleviate the pain. Sometimes we pray and receive an answer right away. Sometimes, like now, all we can do is pray, wait, and work through it.
This is one of those times.
My grandson, Henry Mata the 3rd, or “Tres,” sustained massive facial injuries Friday afternoon when a heavy steel barbeque pit fell on him. Thankfully, someone knew enough about breathing and airway compromise to keep him alive until EMS was on scene. This EMS crew deserves a lot of credit for getting “Higwee” to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, who did an excellent job stabilizing him and sending him on to University Hospital in San Antonio. His injuries were severe enough to require a specialist with skills unavailable in Corpus Christi.
(Where did “Higwee” come from? Several months after he was born, my wife Janie asked his big sister Lillian what her little brother’s name was. She tried to say “Henry,” which came out “Higwee.”)
Now, this is one rambunctious little guy. He is almost always nursing a scratch or cut or bumps from his “all-or-nothing” style of play. Up until Friday, he could always get back up and keep going. I’m told that after the bbq pit was lifted off of him he got up and walked over to the young lady that saved him.
To see him so broken, that may be the worst part of it all, or not being able to really comfort him, or hold him and tell him “it’s gonna be ok.” Or, to make it all go away with an extra scoop of ice cream.
Why is this? - Because someone didn’t feel the need to secure his or her bbq pit, or because no one saw the danger- or a combination. There is a rage inside me, aimed at those responsible for the pit and for the callousness of those after the fact.
I pray for direction. I pray for wisdom and discernment. I pray for God’s will to be done on these vermin. He knows what’s best. I will keep reminding myself to place it all in His hands. In the meantime, I will write.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Sometimes in life there seems to be no option for relief, no pill to alleviate the pain. Sometimes we pray and receive an answer right away. Sometimes, like now, all we can do is pray, wait, and work through it.
This is one of those times.
My grandson, Henry Mata the 3rd, or “Tres,” sustained massive facial injuries Friday afternoon when a heavy steel barbeque pit fell on him. Thankfully, someone knew enough about breathing and airway compromise to keep him alive until EMS was on scene. This EMS crew deserves a lot of credit for getting “Higwee” to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, who did an excellent job stabilizing him and sending him on to University Hospital in San Antonio. His injuries were severe enough to require a specialist with skills unavailable in Corpus Christi.
Now, this is one rambunctious little guy. He is almost always nursing a scratch or cut or bumps from his “all-or-nothing” style of play. Up until Friday, he could always get back up and keep going. I’m told that after the bbq pit was lifted off of him he got up and walked over to the young lady that saved him.
To see him so broken, that may be the worst part of it all, or not being able to really comfort him, or hold him and tell him “it’s gonna be ok.” Or, to make it all go away with an extra scoop of ice cream.
Why is this? - Because someone didn’t feel the need to secure his or her bbq pit, or because no one saw the danger- or a combination. There is a rage inside me, aimed at those responsible for the pit and for the callousness of those after the fact.
I pray for direction. I pray for wisdom and discernment. I pray for God’s will to be done on these vermin. He knows what’s best. I will keep reminding myself to place it all in His hands. In the meantime, I will write.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)I'm so sorry about this terrible accident, Ken. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Thank you, Jennifer. It is a trying time indeed.
Prayers are up for "Higwee", and may they be able to restore to him all.Thank yuo, Elle. HIgwee is blessed to have so many people care about him.
Bro-Bro.
Your heart and anger and struggle to maintain your Christ-like attributes are heard and very much felt. I'm praying for healing, but physical and emotional and that grace will be given from heaven to earth, and from neighbor to neighbor that the love of Jesus will flow through you to those who need it. Heavenly Father, I ask your blessing from every angle for every purpose and every good that can come from this situation. I pray for healing, both physically and emotionally for all involved. I pray that lessons would be learned so that this type of accident does not happen again. I pray for grace and for hearts to turn to you. Lord, we are a flawed people, and we need you. Extend your hand in this situation to everyone involved. Thank you that you see from all perspectives and move accordingly. Trusting for the most incredible outcome possible. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.Thank you, Sis. You have no idea how much I appreciate you.
Oh, Ken - I feel wrung out with you - please keep us posted on the little guy and how we can pray further! MarijoWIll do, Marijo. Thank you so much.
Hi Ken.
My thoughts are with you all. I hope he is up and running around again soon. I also hope that certain people have learned a valuable lesson from all this.
Sometimes callousness is merely denial ... when a sense of guilt is overwhelming ... so don't think those responsible are necessarily uncaring. And try to relax. You need to be there for Henry and you can't effectively do that if you remain distraught. Lecture over. Just know that I feel for you and hope all turns out well.
Hugs,
DianneYou're right, Dianne. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is nothing.
I feel terrible for this young boy, and wish him a quick recovery. It is not only the owners of the barbecue pits responsibility though, why wasn't someone watching him? There are many levels of prevention, but it begins with the parents.Very true. Thanks for stopping by.
Ken, I missed this earlier. Oh my goodness! What a tragedy for such a little guy. I hope there is comfort in the fact that many are praying for him.
Wow! This is heart wrenching! Bright Blessings to the entire family. It has been just over 2 months now, how is the little guy doing? I hope to hear good news from you
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