Community rallies around Abernathy athlete, injured in ATV accident
ABERNATHY, TX (KCBD) - On the Fourth of July, two Abernathy athletes, Ryan Sandoval and Mikayla Pierson, got into an ATV wreck. Pierson's right hand got caught under the handbar, degloving it.
Luckily, Dr. McKee at UMC was able to surgically reconstruct her hand. It could have been much worse, had Sandoval not done some quick thinking.
"I took my belt off and I put it up on her bicep. I didn't put it too tight because it wasn't gushing or anything. I just didn't want it to bleed worse than it was," Sandoval said.
Pierson spent weeks in the hospital getting surgeries on her hand.
"I prayed on the ambulance," Pierson said.
"I prayed before surgery... and my parents just kept telling me keep praying and asking God to help you. I've gotten many prayers from other people in the community, too. Just telling me keep your head up and, you know, God will help you get through this."
Ryan's Mother, Melonie Sandoval, spoke about the power of prayer.
"The prayers are what made a difference because it's a miracle that she has her hand. It's a miracle."
A fundraiser, with all proceeds going to Pierson and her family, will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Abernathy City Hall.
A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help Pierson and her family with the medical expenses.
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