Izzy’s story ~
As you probably know if you read my blog, I started blogging after the near drowning accident of my youngest daughter Isabelle (Izzy). I started her blog after I had been emailing updates to friends and family and the email address list was getting so big I had to do several separate mailings to get it all out. That along with the fact that people’s addresses changed and would ask about updates. It was just easier to have a central place where I could write about her progress. The emails those first few months were priceless and I was so happy to have a way to correspond with people who love and care for our family. We were out of state for a couple of months in a rehab facility with Izzy. Later I started this blog because I enjoy the memes and general blogging that I don’t feel is appropriate for Izzy’s blog…
I have had several people email privately asking for the details of Izzy’s near drowning accident and have sent them the information. But, in an attempt to help people understand the potential for drownings, I am going to sum up her accident here…
Izzy was 21 months old. It was May ’04, a Sunday evening. We had been to church (morning and evening) stopped at the store for a few things, came home to read the Sunday paper and watch Extreme Home Makeover… My son Bailey who was 10 at the time was going outside (the side deck which is away from the pool) to lift weights for fun. Izzy was his constant shadow and he called to tell me Izzy was with him… to which I replied, “okay, but watch her!” I have to pause here to say that Isabelle was terrified of the pool. She even hated taking baths. I had just put her in the pool with Matt a few days before this and she screamed so I took her out 
immediately. I guess my point is she was afraid of the water and I felt like she would never get into it alone. I was wrong. Isabelle wondered away in a blink and got into the pool. I have replayed this a million times in my mind, the what if’s … what if I had said, “no, she needs to stay in the house.” what if I would have glanced outside and noticed she was headed in the direction of the pool… etc. What did happen was I had a weird thought, “isabelle… pool” came into my mind which was odd for the reasons I stated. Amanda was walking by and I asked her to make sure Izzy was still with Bailey (just to be sure), she came right back and said, “Bailey is still on the deck.” What about Isabelle? She went back out and before I could get there I heard screaming. Bailey pulled Izzy out of the pool and held her upside down. Matt came second and started giving her breaths. What seemed like hours was only a few seconds and the image I saw was a ifeless blue baby. It was the worst thing I have ever seen in my life and I prayed for a year for God to take that image out of my mind. I still get shaky thinking about it. I called 911, and took over cpr while Matt talked to the person on the phone until the ambulance arrived. I did cpr until a emt took her from my arms. After that I laid on the ground begging God to spare my baby. They worked on her for about 20 minutes in the ambulance. I wasn’t allowed near. I sat with the kids and we prayed for her … We were finally told they were heading to the ER. When we followed, we didn’t know walking in whether or not she was alive. We went into the family room and were told they had gotten a pulse but were still working on her. Before five minutes passed there were so many people there we had filled the family room and the hall of the er. They then took her to the Children’s Hospital by medivac. We followed again and were told that Izzy would probably not survive the night. The rest of the story would take a week to write, but she is alive… it will be three years in May! She is healthy and making progress and we have learned so much about our faith and about God. We believe that she will be completely restored.
A while after her accident I joined an online support group for parent’s of near drownings. I have come to learn that this happens far too often especially to children around 2 years old. I feel compelled to plead you to treat any open water as if it were a loaded gun. It is so dangerous for toddlers because they don’t have the rational to know the danger involved and it happens so quickly. I have read parents stories of babysitters, grandparents, birthday parties, koi ponds, retention ponds, it happens everywhere in every way! You cannot be too careful.
One great preventative if you have toddlers is to teach them to swim. The guys who come over from Australia to do Izzy’s brain therapy have made videos that show how to teach your babies to swim at a very young age.
If you are interested in more information on Izzy’s progress, you can look at her blog. If you are a person that prays, any prayers of faith for Isabelle would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few statistics…
- In 2000, there were 3,482 unintentional drownings inthe United States, an average of nine people per day.(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- It is estimated that for each drowning death, there are 1 to 4 nonfatal submersions serious enough to result in hospitalization. Children who still require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the time they arrive at the emergency department have a poor prognosis, with at least half of survivors suffering significant neurologic impairment. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children under the age of 15. (U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- 19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with
certified lifeguards present.(Drowning Prevention Foundation)
- A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved
in the death of a child age 4 and under. (Orange County California Fire
Authority) - Children under five and adolescents between the ages of 15-24 have the highest drowning rates. (U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to
unintentional drowning-related incidents each year; 15 percent die in the hospital and as many as 20 percent suffer severe, permanent neurological disability. (National Safety Council)Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less. (Orange County, CA, Fire Authority)
- The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion,and most children who die (86 percent) are found after10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe braininjury. (National Safe Kids Campaign)
**Update**
We have reached 50 comments & I am amazed at the visits over the last couple of days, I am so happy to know that Izzy’s story is building awareness and saving lives. You guys are all so great, your comments are so loving… each one was like a hug that I could literally feel. Thank you. My plan is to put all the names in a bowl and put Iz’s hand in and see what she pulls out! Hopefully someone will take pictures so I can show you how the winner was chosen!
For those of you who do not win, I have purchased several of these DVDs that I planned to set up with statistical information and Izzy’s story fliers to sell at the local pool stores. Anyone interested in purchasing one can email me mailto:anniepettigrew@yahoo.com).
I will post the winner first thing Thursday morning on this post. Please continue to tell everyone you know about Izzy’s story and the necessity of extreme pool safety. Thanks again, and bless you all!
Tags: contest
OH ANNIE!! ((Hugs)) I am all teary eyed reading this. I am so glad she is ok. I can only imagine what you were going through at the time.
I am going to post on my blog now!
Linda
Oh Annie, I can’t imagine what you went through. I’m having trouble typing through the tears. I will definitely do a post linking here. It is such an important message to get out there. Thank you for sharing your story and by doing so potentially saving someone else’s child.
Blessings,
Laura
This sent a chill up my spine, Annie. I can’t begin to imagine the horror you experienced and the guilt you must have gone through.
Oh thank goodness she survived. And what a blessing it is that you’re bringing this to light – I hope this gets to many, many people with young children. It’s unbelievable how quickly something like this can happen. I’ll definitely help you raise awareness.
What am amazing story of Izzy’s survival and fight you are sharing with everyone.
I can’t imagine going through something like that either – to see your baby like that and just not knowing. She sounds like she just had the will to live.
Thank you for sharing your story and getting the word out about how quickly it can happen. Izzy is in my prayers for her continued recovery!
Thank you for sharing this. I’m posting a link to this on my blog…it is a must read for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles…in short every adult who ever cares for children!
Truly heart-breaking. What a gift your faith is to help you get through the valleys and to be thankful for on the mountaintops. You’re doing such a service to share your story to help educate other mothers. Thank you.
Okay…I’ve known this story since it happened…I was at the hospital that night…I believe in her recovery through God, BUT WOW! It took me thirty minutes to read this blog because I bawled so much! It brought it all back…it made me scared for Addyson (just for her safety in general)…ugh..
Mom and I talk about you often. We think you’ve done an amazing job with Izzy. You work so hard for her.
Thanks for the information on the swimming video. I’m DEFINITELY getting that!
Elizabeth
Well you’ve been sending me messages and I’ve been lurking around your blog but I didn’t quite figure out the whole story. I am glad I was able to read it, though I am truly sorry that you experienced it.
I can’t imagine how scary this was for you and I think that is some great information. Pools make me so nervous, and now even more so…. my daughter has a trach and if she goes underwater- the water goes straight to her lungs, fills it up and she’s gone just like that. There’s no chance of if she’d make it. So even giving her a bath is scary to me. But other than that, she doesn’t go in any water.
Izzy will be on my prayer list. I am glad to see that your faith has helped you through this, I don’t know what I’d do without it myself.
Thanks again for touching my life.
Annie,
Thank you so much for sharing this story, and for sharing your heart. I will definately keep you and your precious daughter in my thoughts and prayers.
Hold tight to His robe- He is always standing beside you
Be blessed,
Heather
I can not imagine your feelings. I know what it is like to watch your child lifeless. (My little man was 3 1/2 months early and we saw him with no breath in his body more than once) I am so glad that you are raising this awareness. Anything to help others avoid such a terrible accident. And PRAISE GOD Izzy is doing wonderfully. (((Big Hugs)))
I have goosebumps reading your story. I can not imagine going through anything like that. I am so glad that she is still here today though!
Pools and children scare me terribly I have to admit it. I always told my husband that I would NEVER have a pool while our kids were still young … and in December we almost bought a house with a pool. The offer fell through and we were crushed. Today my 15 month old walked out of the house by himself without help and scared me to death. I think it was the BEST thing in the world we didn’t get that other house – too scary, not with my child who knows no bounds or fear at all.
Anyway, I’m rambling. And I’m sorry for that! Off to read more blogs on the UBP list.
WOW! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in all of this. How heartwrenching something like this can be! I am thankful someone directed me to your site and I am very interested in looking into buying that video you talked about.
Kcaarin
http://www.xanga.com/kc_sahm
It is so wonderful that GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS! Thank you Lord! I will keep Izzy on my prayer list and also your family!
It is a wonderful thing you are doing to get the word out!
Bless you and yours!
Post is up.
Blessings.
Annie,
I know this story well, but reading it is still hard. It must be hard to relive it and to write it in detail like that. I’m glad you posted it! I know many lives have been and will be saved through Isabelle and her testimony.
Love you,
Julie
It’s a powerful story. I cannot image anyone reading this and not being affected to want to do something.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I stopped by for the Feast and never made it.
I want to thank you for posting this article. I was a paramedic for a number of years, and despite all the Pediatric Advanced Life Support training and specialized equipment, this is still one of the calls we dread.
Thank you for working to keep some other family from having to go through what you’ve gone through.
God be with you and your family, especially Izzy.
Oh, Annie. I cried reading this…it must have been hard to see your precious baby like that. How devastating for your whole family…esp Bailey. My heart aches for that child! This is one of my biggest fears in life. We have a pool,too and young children. I would love to know how better to protect them. The video sounds wonderful. We have a family here in our town that this happened to at a friends house…Anna Grace was napping and she wandered out the door while everyone thought she was asleep and into the pool somehow. She died at 2 1/2 years old. The family’s faith has been what has gotten them through. They have since had twins boys. Isn’t God good to do that for them?
Thank you for sharing your story…we can never be too careful and it can happen to anyone.
I will be praying for you and Isabelle….I am praying for a complete recovery!
Thanks you so much!
Kim
Annie, I think what you are doing is so very needed! I’m sure all of us, as parents, can think of at least one instance where we could relive those “What if’s”! Accidents are just that and the strength you have shown since Izzy’s accident is amazing! I’ve known you for a long time and really never knew you had the strength that you’ve shown since that time. I’m thankful that Izzy is still here and that she is progressing in her recovery and I, too, believe she will be completely restored by God. Thank you for sharing the emails in the beginning and for the updates on Izzy’s blog. You are truly an inspiration in your dedication and faith in the Lord and in your constant care and selflessness you give daily to help Izzy on her road to recovery.
My prayers have been with Izzy and with you, Matt and the others kids – since the beginning. I continue to lift Izzy in prayer before our Lord and believe in the healing power of God.
Annie, thank you for your courage is sharing you and Izzie’s story. I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through. Thank you for taking it and turning it into a teaching tool that can help someone else. Your courage is amazing!
Annie, you bless me so much by your comments on my blog. Thank you for being such an encouragement. Thank you for sharing your story. We sereve a big God and I beleive He will continue to bring healing to your precious baby girl.
I am going to pray for her right now.
You bless me!
Wow Annie I can’t even imagine what life has been like for you since that day. I will definitely pray for your family and a full restoration for Izzy. We had some family friends who lost their two year old in a drowning accident just two years ago. Their little one had gotten outside without anyone knowing it and fell in their pool. It is very scary and I really appreciate you sharing your story with us. And for bringing awareness to it, too. I wish you all the best.
Thanks for sharing your story…I can’t even imagine what your family has gone through. But I’m so glad your faith was made strong and that you are believing God for healing.
Annie, thank you for such an amazing story, I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through….
I’m glad you’re bringing this to everyone’s attention, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Thank you for bringing awareness to it.
Sandra
Thanks so much for sharing your story. It is a really good reminded for all of us. It can and does happen to anyone.
I am going to put a link on my blog so others can come over and read it too.
I will say a prayer for your sweet Izzy and for your family too. I’m so glad she is still with you!!
Stacy
How scary!!! Thank you for sharing the story and statistics, they are so important to know. I’m glad Izzy is still with you!
What a horrible experience for your family to have gone through but thankfully with a happy ending. I have three overly inquisitive boys and I can totally imagine any one of them doing something like that. Thanks for sharing your experience. We all try to be vigilant but sometimes all it takes is a second.
Annie, i read this lastnight but couldn’t comment, I was just crying too much. I can’t imagine what you felt or what you have been going though since. I’m very thankful that she is healthy now and Izzy recovery will be in my prayer.. I’ll also be working on a post to inform people about how improtant it is and link back to this post. Little Man is 21 months old now and He likes to be a shadow to his big sisters and brother.. It is scary just how fast and accident can happen and how our lives could change in such a big way.. Thanks you for sharing this story with us all.
(((((((((HUGS))))))))))))
Thank you so much for sharing your experience to help the rest of us. I have a 10 month old son and have started swimming with him once a week. I would love to learn how to really teach him to swim. That video sounds wonderful. Can you provide a link for those that don’t win?
Blessings to you all.
Annie, first off let me thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I have been to yours before some time back and skimmed through trying to find out what had happened to your daughter. I also read some of the posts about Izzy’s therapy (I’m an occupational therapy assistant). Anyway, when I popped back on your blog this morning and saw your post about how it happened, I read and just cried and cried. I can’t imagine the hurt you had. I am so happy that she made it and is doing better each day. Thank you for sharing your story, I needed to hear it. My youngest is 21 months old right now. We have a pond in our front yard. When he goes out to play with his older siblings, I let them play inside our fence, but I rely too heavily on my older children to watch him. Thank you for this wake up call …I will be more aware of his whereabouts anytime he is out to play.
Oh Annie, thank you for sharing this story. I have been to your blog several times and had wondered what the circumstances are surrounding her accident. We have a pool too and last year I had to put my Caleb in infant swim lessons (survival swimming) because I realized that he had NO FEAR of that pool! I also saw stats that 2 year old boys are the biggest age group for drowings, they are mischevious and adventurous. And he loves the pool. We have a gate around our pool and alarms on our doors to help prevent something from happening but anything can happen in the blink of an eye. I am going to share this story with the kids to remind them never ever go near that pool without mommy and daddy. I have told them once if they ever got in it w/out permission that we would drain in and cement it up – I hope they get the idea. Thank you again for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. We always have those warnings in the back of our head but it was so nice to be reminded – especially during the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons. I found out about your blog through my friend Telah.
Blessings to you and your family,
Jamie ~ Alabama
God is using you to save lives. Thank you for your story. I do plan to give my 18 month old daughter swimming lessons this year. Love and prayers.
Thanks for sharing your story and your heart. I plan on posting to my blog. My boys are teenagers and it scares me when they go to a pond by our house … because they are after all BOYS! Hugs!!!! Michelle
Linsey said…
As a mom of a 4yr old, a 2 yr old, & a 6 month old, my heart just aches for you and all your family has been through! I’m so glad that you have your faith. I will pray for Izzy.
I will also post a link on my blog. We have a pool, so this is SO important for my family and friends to read!
May god continue to Bless you!
I’ll keep Izzy in my prayers.
Bless you for getting the word out and spreading awareness.
Oh My…. I don’t have kids yet but am terrified to see kids not watched around water. My mom wouldn’t let us be in the pool unsupervised until I was about 10 or 12 and I had to swim under water and above the water before she would let me take off my life jacket in the shallow end. You can never be too careful. I figure.. if there are kids in the pool, there needs to be a parent out there, even if the kids are in their teens.
What an excellent idea. We live in a state with lots of streams, rivers, ditches, etc. It seems like each and every summer we have a tragic accident where a child loses their life.
I’m so glad your little on is doing well!
Oh my goodness, what you’ve been through! I’ll post a link also!
God bless your family!
His Girl
I am so sorry that you have had to go through this. I am really glad that your daughter is improving. I have a 4 year old so obviously your story was alarming!
I followed a link here and read Izzy’s story…I’m so sorry you all had to go through that, but happy that she is alive, well, and making progress! We were just talking yesterday, anticipating our upcoming adoption, about enclosing our pool with some sort of safety fence. Your story has made that even more important in my mind. Thank you. Sharing your story has undoubtedly saved lives.
Blessings,
Donna
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I have a two year old girl, and I can’t imagine. However, I will be even more diligent about water safety because you have shared your story. I will be praying for Izzy!
I can’t even begin to imagine. I’m so sorry that happened to you and to your sweet little girl. I’m so thankful she’s alive. Thanks for this very important reminder!
Thank you for sharing your story. By doing so you have potentially saved the life of a child.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m pregnant and due in June. Your story has enlightened me. I will keep Isabelle in our prayers.
Thank you.
Thank you for your story. We just have a hot tub but even that makes me so nervous when it’s uncovered. I wish I could help others understand how scary this is! I am so glad your daughter is still here!
Your story brought tears to my eyes. I have a 20 month old who loves water. While we don’t have a pool, your warnings about ponds, etc. were a great reminder for me especially just before Spring. Thank you. I am posting a link to this post on my blog and will pray for your family today. Thank you for sharing your story. It reminds me to be extra cautious.
Thanks for sharing your story. I have worried about drowning but felt better about when my son recently showed no interest in the ocean or pool. I’m going to hopefully find a swimming class for him this summer as well as take CPR classes myself. Thanks again.
Thank God your daughter survived! It is so scary how fast this can all happen. I have a 6 yr old daughter and we had a pool from when she was age 3 to 5 (we don’t have one now) and she can’t swim yet! I will be taking her to swimming lessons this year so I feel safer just taking her to the community pool. Thank you for sharing your story, I know it is not easy. God bless you and your family.
Hugs Denise
Thank you for sharing your story, I found your link from Blueberry Eyes. We have a pool in our back yard and my 3yrold is now taking swimming lessons. I will be keeping a VERY close eye on her, you are right in just a matter of seconds it can happen.