Grateful for Angel Blessings

All family members are keeping our granddaughter Shannon and seven-year-old Ryland in our thoughts and prayers following the injuries they received at Stewart Falls in Utah on May 25th.  Updates have been eagerly watched for on our "Ireland Family" site as well as from phone calls, and we appreciate the inspirational updates from Ryland's mother. 

Shannon was released yesterday evening (May 28) from the hospital and is staying with us in our downstairs along with her parents and Jenna.  Scott has been doing his work online and by phone, but he will fly back to Denver Sunday evening and come back here the following Friday.  

 Shannon in the hospital,

May 26, 2020. 

Here is a copy from what Scott shared on our Ireland Family site regarding Shannon's fall:

"Shannon’s hip is fractured in 4 places, she has a broken arm, elbow, and rib, and the orbital bone around her eye is fractured. Her hip injury will make her pretty immobile for the next 6 weeks, and then she will have about 6 weeks of therapy ahead of her after that. She is expected, however, to make a full recovery; and hopefully by the time that fall semester starts back up, she'll be pretty much back to normal.
 

"The news articles on the web all imply that there were 3 separate accidents that day at Stewart Falls, with Shannon and a small boy (Ryland) both separately falling from 40 feet above the falls down the shear cliff face to the base of the falls. As Shannon was unconscious and Jenna didn't see the accident, we assumed that the published reports were correct. However, late last night we learned the real truth. Only Shannon tripped and fell 40 ft. Ryland was down below and was badly injured when Shannon landed on him. He was the angel that cushioned Shannon's fall and saved her life. We are extremely grateful that Shannon survived this traumatic fall (that has killed others in the past), but feel terrible that it came at such a great cost to Ryland and his family. Ryland had emergency brain surgery yesterday and is in critical condition. We have been fasting and praying for him all day. Please continue to keep both Ryland and Shannon in your prayers."

Kristine posted a link to Ryland's Gofundme page for those interested in helping that way; and she also shared the option to contribue toward Ryland's family's expenses through Venmo, so the funds go directly to them.  

 

Ryland with his family

and standing in front of his mother,

who has shared daily inspirational updates.

In addition to Shannon surviving the fall,
there were other miracles that happened at Steward Falls.

About 30 minutes before Shannon fell,

another female hiker had broken her ankle;

so paramedics were already there at the spot and at the time 
of Shannon's fall onto Ryland

and were quickly able to attend to him.  
Because of the nature of his injury, the paramedics realized 
the need to intubate Ryland with a breathing tube.

Just at this critical moment, another hiker

who was a pediatric anesthesiologist showed up and could help
precisely when this was needed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In 2014, Sam and I hiked to Stewart Falls with Ethan and Scott and Shannon.  
We did not go up above the falls and had a safe time, 
although it was very hot and standing by the falls felt good.  
Shannon and Ethan opted to get wet going behind the falls.  
Here are photos from that day:

Ethan, Gramma Narene, Shannon, and Grampa Sam

at Stewart Falls in Utah, 2014.

If you look closely, you can see at least two hikers above the lower falls.

Shannon's fall was from about 40 feet down to the bottom

where we are standing in the preceding photo.

We are extremely grateful Shannon is here and can be in our home

healing and getting better each day. 

We appreciate the fasting and prayers for Shannon and for Ryland

and grateful for the miracles that accompanied this accident.