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Crash leaves girl paralyzed
“You know what? I can’t feel my legs. I tried to pinch them hard. I pinched them to death! But I don’t feel them.” - Seven-year-old Brynn Duncan
Published Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Duncan family can tell you how quickly life’s course can switch directions.
On August 18, Cody and Dixie Duncan received a call at their Fargo home; their 7-year-old daughter Brynn had been involved in a serious car accident with her grandma at the intersection of Union and Fir Avenues. While driving to Lake Region Healthcare, the Duncans phone rang again. The seriousness of Brynn’s condition had warranted an ambulance ride to MeritCare in Fargo. The Duncans turned around and headed north to meet their daughter.
Brynn was immediately rushed to surgery because she had sustained injuries including a damaged kidney, a severed intestine, a bruised heart and a broken spinal cord. At MeritCare, Brynn underwent intestinal and kidney repairs. It was at that point doctors realized the severity of her spinal injury and a jet was ordered to transport Brynn to the Hennepin County Medical Center in the Twin Cities, where she was stabilized before undergoing a spinal surgery three days later.
The surgery successfully realigned her spine, using Brynn’s bone, along with a donor bone, a rod and bolts to construct a solid foundation to allow Brynn to sit. But the severity of the spinal injury has left Brynn paralyzed from the waist down.
“It was heart wrenching, you just go almost numb,” said Brynn’s aunt Brenda Nottestad, speaking to how she and her family felt when they heard of the accident. “You just can’t believe this is happening to somebody you love and know so well.”
Now, more than two weeks later, the tight-knit family has become quite familiar with the halls of the ICU unit in the Hennepin County Medical Center, where they have spent days and nights providing support to their “dancing doll.” Those who aren’t able to travel to the hospital use family members as messengers to send love and prayers to Brynn.
Meanwhile, Brynn’s grandmother has been recovering at a hospital in Fargo.
The first week of Brynn’s stay in the ICU was particularly devastating for the family, Nottestad said, as Brynn’s spirit did not resemble that of her previous light-hearted self, which, despite the tubes and braces attached to Brynn’s body, was perhaps the hardest reality for the family to witness, Nottestad said.
“I have never seen a child that young go through such a severe depression,” Nottestad said, “then doing a 360 degree turn and all of a sudden... our old Brynn was back.”
In a CaringBridge blog post, which the family has created to keep those who have been following Brynn’s recovery up to speed, it was reported on August 29 that Brynn had begun to show her “old” self.
“It’s unbelievable, her little demeanor has just been incredible,” said Nottestad, who has spent much of the last two weeks at the hospital with Brynn and family. “She’s been compliant, no matter what the pain.”
Although Brynn is handling her situation with bravery, family members say the fact that she is paralyzed from the waist-down is too drastic a concept for the a 7-year-old to grasp at this time.
Brynn still has some internal surgical work to be done at the ICU, but is expected to be transferred to the Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, where she will undergo rehabilitation.
The family refers to the team of doctors and nurses who take care of Brynn as “the herd.” The family’s ears perk at the sound of their footsteps down the hall and have been touched by the care they have provided to their girl.
Family members, although considering the re-modeling of Brynn’s Fargo home for handicap accessibility, are focusing on the present, hanging on every smile and moment spent with Brynn.
“We’ve really had to live in the moment because when you look outside of that it can really overwhelm you,” Nottestad said.
The family is accepting donations for medical costs and costs associated with creating handicap accessible features in their home. Although they do have medical insurance, the hospital has informed the family that their insurance will run out before the bills do. All donations can be made through Brynn’s CaringBridge Web site, www.caringbridge.org/visit/brynnduncan. Donations can also be made through Pastor Bob Ona at First Assembly of God church in Fargo, 701-232-0003.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless this little girl! I pray for her and her family, what a trooper! In such a traumatic event, god has a special plan for this little girl, best wishes to her and a speedy recovery!
Posted by sassica (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers go out to this family.
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prayers to the entire family.
Posted by justonevoice (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with Brynn, her Grandmother, and their family and friends. I can't imagine how overwhelmed they all must feel. God bless them in their time of need.
Posted by daidres (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a miracle they both survived from what the scene of the accident looked like. What a wonderful family for the support they are showing Brynn, and her parents. This girl is a miracle who made it through a horrible accident, and now has awesome strength from within to keep on going! God bless Brynn, and all her family in these days, weeks,months, and years to come!
Posted by Colt45 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers for the family.
Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May God be with this family, every step of their journey.
Posted by Babygurl4 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet u she will prove those doctors wrong and will walk in a couple of years!!..I seen it happen!! I have every faith in her that she will! She looks and sounds like a strong lil women!! May god bless her and her family! Will power!!!
Posted by Brandon (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor little girl :(
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by jglaze (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am the cousin of the beautiful girl who was in the accident and I would like to address the above comment by kidvanwechel. We definitely are a family who believes in God's will. Now, just because we are firm believers in Jesus Christ does not mean that we don't question why this happend. It does not mean that we didn't become just a little angry at Him in this situation. What it means is that we have a hope that we cling to. God never promised us an easy life, without trials and tribulations. Just because we are Christians does not mean that we should expect a life free of tribulations. However, God has told us that we WILL persevere through these trials and He will give us the strength to get through them. My aunt has learned what God's grace is really all about through this whole thing. God has been answering prayers; He's brought back Brynn's smile, he's given comfort to our family, He spared Brynn's life. So, I'm sorry if you read the comment section to get more information and only found a sermon. BUT, that is how our family has gotten through this-with God's grace and never failing love. THAT is Brynn's story! There is no one to blame for this accident-it was an accident.
Posted by ocindy7 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God rains on the flowers and the weeds equally since Adam and Eve ate the apple and sin entered the the world. that will all change when he comes back and every eye will see him come!!then sin and sinners will be no more.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for giving us an update on this family's story. When we don't hear "the rest of the story", it's easy to assume that just because there are no fatalities, all is well. God bless this little girl as she recovers and may she find strength in her faith despite her circumstances. Yes, I said God Bless her.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
as a parent of a wheelchair bound child, and sufferer of a chronic debilitating disease myself, I want to assure the family that things will be alright! the Gillette children s hospital is the best!
some like to romanticize and say things happen for a reason or will try to console you with hope for miracles.
the fact is, this girl will most likely will remain paralyzed from the waist down and doesn't need false hopes.
help her focus on her strengths and remind her that she is loved and matters every bit as much as she did before the accident.
remind her that she has every quality that really matters!
remind her that everyone has problems, it's just you can't always see the ones others have.
it's not for us to chose what abilities we are given in life.
it's what we do with our abilities that matters.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
first, what is a headquart? and second all you people giving your "thoughts and prayers", why not send some money or a wheelchair or something real?
Posted by PunkinPie (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't ask God why.. Ask "What do I do now" ..He's got a plan.
Posted by justonevoice (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mccain08 - How do you know that the people who made posts haven't made donations also? Seems to me that people just want to lend their love and support, too.
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tink (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kidvanwechel-don't read it then!
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kidvanwechel
the reason the DJ removes comments is because someone suggested it.
there is a time and place for the valid issue you are attempting to debate.
this article isn't it.
best wishes to Brynn and her family.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by WFTDesign (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Duncan Family and Super Extended Family and Friends of Duncan,
I know Cody only from Men's Retreats, but we are close enough because I am father of my daughter, age 7. To read lot of support and comments on www.caringbridge.com plus reading lot of reports that family from North Dakota have been visiting Brynn and her family in Minneapolis and in near future, St Paul. That is TRUE Christian practice. That is called, WALKING in God's Love, not talking about God's Love. That is big difference between W-ALK and T-alk.
If you read a post on the web site, it talks about some child who have been in same hospital as Brynn but no visitors. That is very sad. That child do need lot of God's Love.
That is why we are Christians walking in God's Love.
I am proud of everyone!
Posted by break4coffee (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kidvanwechel. Just a note to tell you that as a family member of Brynn, there are some of us who did not feel your comments needed to be removed. Though personally saddened by your comments, our belief system was not threatened in any way by what you said. I will refer to the comments eloquently made by jglaze and do not feel a need to reiterate. Though we do not agree, you indeed have a right to comment. We cannot expect you to embrace or understand our faith if you do not have a relationship with Jesus. The amazing thing about Christianity is that is not exclusive—He desires all to have a relationship with Him no matter who they are and what their past is.
Posted by daidres (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Every one needs to pray for Brynn or allow a special place in your heart for Brynn today, as she had surgery this morning and is recovering.
Posted by almanza_navywife28 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayer goes out to this family.
Carissa Moser-Almanza
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