Parenting
Just two years ago, my little girl, Lily, had just stirred from a nap. I remember admiring the delightfully adorable skip in her step as she walked ahead of me into the living room. I took a seat at the computer desk situated near her brother’s room. Moments later, she wandered into her brother’s bedroom, and then it happened—an ear-splitting crash jolted me from my thoughts.
In an instant, our lives took a terrifying turn. I dashed to the doorway, only to see the bottom of the dresser with no sign of Lily. My heart sank; panic gripped me as I realized she was trapped beneath it. Given that I had recently undergone significant back surgery, I struggled to lift the heavy piece of furniture. I managed to briefly raise it off her head, clinging to it with all my might while screaming for my partner, Jake. He rushed in and, with a single heave, tossed the dresser aside like it was made of paper.
That’s when I saw her reaction. She jerked slightly, and then my heart dropped as I noticed blood trickling from her left ear. I can still recall the sheer despair that washed over me as I relayed the harrowing details to the 911 operator. Incredibly, help arrived within minutes. We faced the gut-wrenching decision of who would accompany Lily in the ambulance. Somehow, Jake decided I should go, and we sped off to the hospital.
Upon arriving at Dell Children’s Hospital, I felt like I was outside of my own body, watching the scene unfold. I was a mess, crying uncontrollably as I witnessed the doctors cut away Lily’s clothing. I struggled to communicate, desperately trying to convey that I was her mother and pleading for assistance. One doctor gently interrupted, saying, “Mom, we’ll talk later.” My legs buckled beneath me as I sank into a chair, feeling utterly helpless. I barely had a moment to collect myself before I was on my feet again, my mind racing with thoughts. I needed to call my parents—where was Jake? This was really happening.
The doctors informed us that Lily had air in her brain due to three skull fractures. Thankfully, the initial prognosis for her brain looked promising, but we were warned of the potential for fluid leakage, which could lead to a serious infection. In addition to the fractures, she had shattered the bones above her eyes and broken a bone near her auditory nerve. Despite the severity of her injuries, the doctors assured us she was stable, but surgery was unavoidable.
They needed to perform a craniotomy—a daunting procedure involving an incision from ear to ear—to repair the tear in her dura and reconstruct her orbital bones. The risks were terrifying. Without the operation, she could lose her sight or suffer from severe disfigurement, or worse. I felt a wave of panic wash over me at the mention of the brain and skull.
Fast forward two years, and Lily has made a miraculous, complete recovery. Yet, I still find myself grappling with the emotional aftermath of that day. The incident occurred because she reached for a Barbie doll atop a dresser that was not anchored to the wall. When we returned home from the hospital, I stood in front of that dresser, still seeing the remnants of what had happened. I kicked it in frustration, wishing I could transfer my pain to that inanimate object. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t the dresser’s fault; it was ours. A simple wall anchor could have spared our family this trauma. Why hadn’t we done it?
As a parent, your greatest fear is the safety of your child. You’re meant to protect them from harm, but accidents can and do happen. Nothing prepares you for the sight of your little one lying in a hospital bed, injured and in pain. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and I couldn’t shake the guilt—why hadn’t we secured that dresser?
Lily handled everything like a champ. Her recovery was truly miraculous. After surgery, her swelling was minimal, and the bruises around her eyes turned into a unique shade of purple and pink. The doctors had cautioned us that she might be unrecognizable, but there she was—our sweet Lily, sporting a temporary new ‘do that we affectionately called her “Princess Crown.” She embraced her new look with grace and humor.
Every day, I thank the universe for keeping her in our lives. Our family was given a second chance, but not every family is so fortunate. The staggering statistic that haunts me is that one child is injured or dies every two weeks due to furniture tip-over accidents. This risk is not limited by age or circumstance; it can affect any home with young children. I implore you to secure your furniture to the wall—just like buckling your child’s seatbelt, those safety straps can save lives.
No family should have to endure what we experienced.
If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of home safety, check out this article from one of our other blogs. You can also find valuable information on this site about navigating your journey. For more resources on pregnancy, visit the CDC for comprehensive information.
Summary:
In an emotional recounting, Emma Wright shares the harrowing experience of her daughter Lily’s near-fatal accident involving an unsecured dresser. After undergoing emergency surgery for multiple skull fractures, Lily made a miraculous recovery. Emma emphasizes the critical importance of securing furniture to prevent similar tragedies, urging parents everywhere to take necessary precautions for their children’s safety.