The family of a 7-year-old girl says they are asking for a miracle after the Tennessee girl was paralyzed in a freak swimming accident.
Sarah Faulkner is still in the hospital after she went swimming earlier this month in Hurricane Creek at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee and a teenager accidentally landed on her back.
News reports say the teenager jumped from a 30-foot rock and landed on the girl’s back.
Faulkner was paralyzed from the lower chest down after hitting the creek bed when the teen landed on her. Faulkner also hit her head in the accident and had to receive 19 staples in her skull, Faithwire reports.
“Doctors have told the family that they have never seen anyone with these injuries walk again,” a GoFundMe site for Faulkner said.
“I believe God can and will heal my daughter,” her dad Tre Faulkner said in an interview. “My wife needs a miracle. My children need a miracle. You need a miracle. Our country needs a miracle to show that God is real and God is alive.”
Tre Faulkner said the family has heard from thousands of people.
“I don’t believe in God, and I’m not really good in these prayer things– especially not since my firstborn daughter died without any reason,” one person wrote. “But today, I was praying to whoever and whatever there may be for a full recovery.”
Tre said he believes God is using the “evil, horrible accident to bring glory to Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of the world, and the solution for all our problems.”
He also said the family has forgiven the teenager who was involved in the accident.
“I asked her what she thought we should do with this girl, and she said we should forgive, and so we literally prayed for the girl,” Tre said. “We can’t imagine the kind of pain she is going through right now.”
About $8,100 of the fundraiser’s $50,000 goal has been raised so far. Funds will be used for medical bills and any upcoming therapy.
“We believe in a God that is bigger than any report, and we’re praying that God heals this sweet girl,” the site says.
Related:
Family Requests 'Prayer Army' after Little Leaguer Falls from Bunk, Injures Head
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Tonefotografia
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
