Reaching out with hands and hearts

June Casagrande

Leilani Gutierrez emerged from her coma into a world she never

knew existed -- one where her dream of riding ponies is now much

farther out of reach, one where simple functions like walking and

talking can no longer be taken for granted.

Though the Gutierrez family and the whole community breathed a

sigh of relief when the Costa Mesa 4-year-old emerged from her coma,

the news still can’t be called good. Leilani was rendered a

quadriplegic by an auto collision on Mother’s Day. Her life and that

of her mother, June Gutierrez, are changed forever.

The brightest ray, though, has been the outpouring of love and

support from the community -- an outpouring that will continue Sunday

when supporters walk to raise money for the Gutierrez family.

The event will help the family pay for the medical equipment they

will need to bring Leilani home from the HealthBridge Children’s

Rehabilitation Hospital: a respirator, a power generator, a

wheelchair-accessible van and other medical needs.

“We all knew she was a miracle to begin with. It’s a miracle she’s

with us today,” said Amanda Arthur, a Newport Beach coma survivor who

has rallied behind Leilani’s cause. Arthur’s case was also a

well-publicized tragedy when she and a group of other high school

students were in a tragic accident five years ago.

Melanie Franklin, a spokeswoman for the Gutierrez family, said the

community’s support so far has been a “tremendous help.” Though

Leilani does have health insurance, funds raised by the community

have allowed June Gutierrez to leave her job as a waitress and spend

her days at Leilani’s hospital bedside. Funds raised from the

community will also pick up where insurance leaves off.

“Actually, it’s cheaper for the state to keep her

institutionalized for the rest of her life, but June can’t just let

Leilani stay in the hospital the rest of her life,” Franklin said.

“We want to bring her home.”

Tina Reed and Amy Duffield, June Gutierrez’s former co-workers at

the Omelette Parlor in Costa Mesa, have organized the walk for

Leilani.

“I hope the walk will be the best help yet,” said Reed, who will

videotape the day’s events for Leilani to keep throughout her life.

“We just want people to come together as a group and work together to

show one little human being how much we love her and care for her.

Love is very important to the healing process.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@-latimes.com.