Teen Survives Being Taken
Off Life-Support, Now “Walking, Talking and Singing”
By Dave Andrusko
Stories from a local newspaper in New Zealand won’t give you a
complete picture, of course, but if you go back in the
electronic archives of “Hawke’s Bay Today” just a few months you
won’t be surprised that Kimberly McNeill has defied doctor’s
grim prognoses and is back at home.
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Kimberly McNeill (Center) is recovering rapidly
with the support of friends (L) Beka Bryant,
and (R) Vicky Callinicos |
The great news, of course,
is that the eighteen year old “miraculously” survived the
decision of her doctors to take her off life support --against
her parents’ wishes--just 15 days after she was transferred to
Auckland City Hospital. Now Kimberly “is walking, talking and
singing” at her parents' home in Napier, on New Zealand's North
Island.
No doubt Kimberly was in a bad way when on her way to a music
festival on December 27 she crashed a short distance from home.
According to the newspaper, doctors at the hospital saw no
chance Kimberly would recover and withdrew life support. Her
parents completely disagreed.
But “defying the odds, she pulled through and was transferred to
Hawke's Bay Hospital to begin her long road to recovery,” the
New Zealand Herald reports. Last Wednesday she returned home to
continue her recovery.
Reading those back stories, her parents’ dogged persistence
through her long ordeal shines through clearly.
Her dad, James McNeill, “said he was mindful of his daughter's
slim chances of surviving, but both he and her mother, Jackie
Kiddle, could not accept the doctors' prognosis.
‘‘’I would routinely ask whether they had children of their own
and what they would do in our situation,’ he said. ‘Those that
did have kids could not say what they would do in our
position.’"
Mr. McNeill added, "When it is your own daughter's life on the
line it is natural to believe that where there is life, there is
hope and giving 100 per cent to even the smallest chance of
recovery."
As his daughter turned the corner, he said, "It wasn't
surprising knowing Kim, she is a real fighter."
Her parents attribute Kimberly’s “nothing short of extraordinary
recovery” to the support from friends, family and team at
Hawke's Bay Hospital.
Mr. McNeil also told reporter Jolene Williams that “while
Kimberly's story demonstrated her resilience and determination,
love was the common thread that combined all others involved
‘from the people who found her, the ambulance and fire service,
the wonderful staff at Hawke's Bay Hospital, her many friends
and all those who were touched and became part of her story the
love she has inspired in so many is humbling for us.”
Mr. McNeill told the local newspaper that Kimberly was making
"great progress."
"To have her home so early is another outstanding milestone,” he
said. “Kimberly has a long way to go, but the sky's the limit.”
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Part One
Part Two
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