For many, the summer of 2020 is one many of us believe is too much to deal with. For those who think social distancing, mask wearing and your favorite business operating in an unusual fashion is a full plate, perhaps you should consider the situation of April Reyes and her daughter Carli Espinoza, a senior-to-be at Bridgeport High School.

 

And when you are done reading about their situation, there is something else you should consider. And that is what Bridgeport, Harrison County and the entire region does when one of their own is facing a serious situation – help them out.

 

We will get to how to help at the end. First, a look at the situation Carli is currently dealing with. It is a situation no family – no parent, no child – should have to face. For Reyes, it all began with a phone call on June 26.

 

“From the moment I answered the phone, it started the worst period of my life. When they started telling me what was going on, everything just went into slow motion,” said Reyes.

 

The phone call was to let Reyes know her daughter was being life flighted as the result of a swimming hole incident that took place in Masontown in Preston County and that her daughter was being flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Reyes said Carli is not quite sure what took place, but said it was not a diving incident.

 

“She actually jumped in, but she doesn’t remember what happened after that,” said Reyes. “We think she hit butt first and it compressed her spine and caused a couple of vertebrae to ‘blow their top,’ as the doctors explained it.”

 

What had happened was that 17-year-old Carli Espinoza had broken her back. Even worse, after the incident she was paralyzed from the waist down.

 

“We got the call at 6 p.m. and took off. It felt like the longest ride from Bridgeport to Morgantown. We actually got there as the helicopter was landing but didn’t get to see her for a couple of hours after,” said Reyes.

 

With limited information and contact, Reyes was like any caring parent if put in perilous situation involving a child – concerned and scared. And that level did not drop when she learned surgery would take place.

 

“They ended up putting in a plate and rod and reconstructed her spine. After that surgery, they realized she had a spinal fluid leak and there were a lot of problems as a result,” Reyes said. “Now, they’ve realized the pelvic bone is out of place so we’re dealing with that. It’s been tough on Carli.”

 

Yet through it all, April Reyes has not lost hope. She has not lost her faith. She said Carli is upbeat as well.

 

“We know this could be worse, so we’re thrilled she has feeling in her arms and legs; thank God. Her feet are numb and she has no control over her bladder and bowels at the moment, but they’re hoping as everything is repaired, she heals and goes through therapy that everything will go back to normal,” said Reyes.

 

Getting back to normal is going to require work, a lot of therapy and Reyes said a lot of prayers. She said Carli can walk up to 100 feet but must take a lot of breaks.

 

“There’s some memory loss but hope it’s just a result of the trauma on her body,” said Reyes. “She’ll soon be in therapy at Encompass, here, and once they start working with her, we’re praying things will begin to progress.”

 

Progress is what the family and Carli’s friends are banking on. The fact progress is possible is a blessing.

 

“When I first saw her, I could see her moving her arms, so I told myself maybe this was an overreaction, maybe a stinger. Then, the x-rays came back,” mom said. “They said the initial prognosis was not a good one. I had to gather myself and immediately decide to be thankful she was alive. That was the big thing and I was thanking the Lord for that.”

 

Reyes said she believes a full recovery will happen. She said the medical staff “won’t promise us anything as far as that goes,” but they are upbeat because of the feeling she has with her arms and legs.

 

“The feeling is a big deal considering she had no feeling from her waist down initially. Then the feeling started to come back, and now her feet are still numb. Once she gets to a standing position, with a walker, she’s able to walk,” said Reyes. “That has everyone encouraged.”

 

What also is encouraging is the amount of support that has already came in. The messages, prayers and assistance have been an additional blessing, Reyes said.

 

“It’s tremendously boosted Carli and all of us,” said Reyes. “Carli has great friends and those friends and their families have been so helpful. We can’t thank them enough, because you could easily feel all alone if you didn’t have the support.”

 

The support is more critical now with the COVID-19 situation. Only one individual has been allowed to be with Carli and that has been Reyes most of the time. Eventually, the hospital allowed Carli’s stepfather to switch out.

 

“That was so helpful because it’s a lot being there 24/7. I really know she’d love to see her family and friends in person, but we’re dealing with things as we have to,” said Reyes. “At the same time (COVID-19) has made it tougher.”

 

That does not mean Carli is not in contact with the outside world. The highly energetic teen who has cheered, played softball, loves to ride horses and spend time with her friends is connecting with them as all in her peer group often get together – through technology.

 

“We’re getting visits and even hearing from doctors by way of the internet,” said Reyes. “On the medical front, it has its quarks, but we’ve adapted. With her friends, she gets to talk to a few each day so that’s been a big help. She needs the interaction.”

 

While that may be a need, what Carli wants are two things. First is something that will come about as the result of getting better.

 

“The first thing that came out of her mouth was what about school and graduation. We definitely thought we’d be talking about senior stuff right now, but no matter what form it takes this coming year we’re determined she’s going to finish out school,” said Reyes.

 

While that will be determined by many factors, the other thing she wants is something we can all do for Carli.

 

“All Carli has asked for are prayers and encouragement,” Reyes said. “We’ll take those before we take anything else.”

 

With that in mind, there is something else the Bridgeport, Harrison County, and surrounding area – or anyone who just happens to read this blog – can do as mentioned at the start of this blog. They can donate to the family due to the added financial strain such a long-term hospital stay almost always produces, regardless of insurance or family income.

 

Family friend Lisa Weimer has set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Carli’s friends. For those that want to assist, they can do so by clicking HERE. I hope you take a chance to help and get Carli back to her former self.

 

“She’s such an active child,” said Reyes. “My prayer is to see her active again.”

 

Editor's Note: Hospital photos, as well as recent photos of Carli, provided by April Reyes.