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.
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