REXBURG – A two-year-old boy is recovering at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after he was run over by a riding lawn mower last Thursday.
Kayden Emery was playing at a family member’s Madison County home when the incident occurred.
“(The family member) backed the lawn mower over and unfortunately did not seen Kayden,” Derek Emery, Kayden’s father, told EastIdahoNews.com.
Paramedics rushed to the house and Kayden was airlifted by medical helicopter to EIRMC. Police who responded to the scene classified the collision as an accident. He lost his left foot and suffered lacerations and fractures on his left leg. His right foot also was scratched.
“Right now doctors are focusing on cleaning his wounds and seeing what tissues are still viable,” Emery said. “He’s learning how to stand on one leg and he’s trying to learn to crawl again.”
Around 17,000 children in the United States are injured every year by lawnmowers, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sometimes those injuries are fatal and Kayden’s father and mother, Kariann Emery, know they’re fortunate their son survived.
“I just try not to focus on the lost hopes and dreams of our boy being able to be (a) football star or the track star,” Derek Emery said. “It’s not going to hinder him. He’s going to be able to do those things – just in a different way.”
Kayden’s parents hope he’ll be admitted into Shriner’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. In the coming years he’ll likely need growth plates and new prosthetic feet as he grows up.
At this point, doctors aren’t sure when Kayden will be released from EIRMC, but his family is ready for him to return home. They said the love they’ve felt from folks in East Idaho and around the world has been incredible.
“I’m just thankful for everybody out there and their caring concern,” Emery said. “It’s really touching. It’s opened my eyes and I want to be out there returning it. There’s nothing I can do but that.”
A GoFundMe account* called “Karing for Kayden” has been set up to help the family with medical and other expenses. Donations are also being accepted at any Bank of Commerce location.
*EastIdahoNews.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does EastIdahoNews.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
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