April 22, 2004

Boy hurt by mower healing fast

       The White River Township boy severely injured in a lawn mower accident last week is expected to be released from the hospital in the next several days.  Cameron Spaulding, 4, and his family continue to receive updates from doctors at Methodist Hospital that the boy’s healing is progressing faster than originally expected, said Chris Philbeck, senior minister at Mount Pleasant Christian Church. The Spauldings are active members at the church.  Cameron suffered deep lacerations to his elbow, thigh and shin and lost part of a foot and some toes when he was struck by a full-size Craftsman riding mower April 15.  His mother, Rhonda Spaulding, was driving the mower and did not see the boy playing behind her.  The mower backed over the boy, pinning him until rescuers could free him.  After a surgery Tuesday that involved grafting a nerve from Cameron’s arm and putting it in his hand, doctors told the Spaulding family Cameron probably will be released from the hospital in a matter of days, Philbeck said.  This is another indication his healing is going really well,” Philbeck said. “Every report seems to be positive.”  Also on Tuesday, surgeons cleaned open areas on the boy’s legs and applied skin grafts where necessary.  No more immediate surgeries are planned to Philbeck’s knowledge.  But regular check-ups and future surgeries probably will be necessary as the boy grows.  With plates in his leg and three screws in his elbow, growth spurts could compromise the reconstructive work surgeons have done, which might require corrective surgeries.
  

---