The Abilene Reflector has done a terrific job keeping our community updated. Here is a link to Fridays article in the Abilene newspaper! Overall a really nice article! Here’s the picture and some highlights of the article…
“Teen Embraces Life One Year After Being Burned”
by DAVE BERGMEIER – Editor Abilene Reflector Chronicle
Her reddish hair and bright smile could melt anyone’s heart and Larisa Hertz has a wisdom and sense of optimism far beyond her 17 years of age.
Larisa Hertz’s life was turned upside down on Sept. 25, 2009, when she was badly burned after her car hydroplaned near Durham on Kansas Highway 15. She received second and third degree burns on her neck, chest and face.
Today, the outgoing Abilene High School senior has returned to her life by driving herself to school and wearing an ever-positive smile that can light up a room.
A year ago she was headed to Wichita to celebrate her best friend’s birthday.
“I was looking forward to a normal weekend and having fun,” Larisa said. “That all changed.”
“I don’t remember anything except the sound of a helicopter,” Larisa said.
Monica said it was a tough moment for her and her husband, Jeff, and Larisa’s siblings — Jaclyn, 23, Nathan, 21, and Timothy, 19. She can still remember the law enforcement officer knocking on the door and asking her if she was Larisa’s mother. The officer confirmed that her daughter had been involved in an accident. She knew right away it was serious and when she got to Wichita doctors confirmed the challenges Larisa would face.
“For the first five weeks it was 50-50,” Monica said. “She was so fragile. She had to be on dialysis and her lungs had collapsed.” “Talk about parent stress,” Larisa said with pride about her parents.
She began a four-month stay in the hospital and began putting her life back together.
“I remember waking up and and I was thinking I was so big,” she said. Monica said her daughter had reached about 200 pounds. Because of the burns Larisa had to be kept hydrated and bed-ridden. Her mother said with Larisa’s hair gone and the weight gain, the only thing she could recognize was her daughter’s finger nails.
“You definitely learn not to take every little movement for granted,” she said in thinking about today compared to a year ago. “I definitely was not seeing much of the outside world. “There has been a lot of pain, therapy and stress for my parents,” Larisa said. “It was tough knowing my life would be forever changed”, but she has been resilient, a fact which her mother can attest to. Larisa can remember during the early part of her recovery having doubts that she would be able to drive a car or interact with her friends.
“I was really independent,” she said in remembering the pre-Sept. 25 accident, and used that mind set to keep pushing ahead. “At first I had not realized I had been through so much,” Larisa said. “I wanted to get through it and be able to share my story with others.” “I’m a little sad to think I cannot remember everyone who came to see me,” Larisa said. Her mother reassured her that was normal and remarked that was how her daughter chose to battle back, using her trademark smile and humor. Her mind set was reinforced by her family and friends.
“Everyone was so supportive and loving,” she said. “People who did not know me were praying for me. That support kept me going.”
Faith is important to her and her family, she said, and was a turning point.
“It just seemed that once you get past the lowest point you start gaining strength,” Larisa said. “By that time you don’t doubt any more. Everyday you see progress. It seemed so easy for me to stay positive because of the love of my family and friends.”
Monica also shares the story of the fact that Larisa was wearing her seat belt. If Larisa had not been wearing her seat belt, the accident could have been a fatality. “She is a miracle to be alive and the biggest miracle is her positive attitude,” Monica said.
“It does make you thankful for everyday you are alive,” Larisa said.
“Right now I am sick of surgery,” Larisa said with a laugh. “From now on it is up to me.”
Students at Abilene and Chapman both participated in fund-raisers for her. “Everyone was so caring and thoughtful,” Larisa said. “I feel accepted and loved,” Larisa said. “I have not had one negative comment. I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable around me. I keep it light and humorous. I don’t want people feeling sorry for me.”
“I feel it had to be happen to me for a reason,” she said about the past year of her young life. “Everything was for the best. I think it was all part of God’s plan.”
“It’s a miracle you cannot express with words.”
was a success! It was enough skin for all the neck area that was released ! Dr. Spence thought there are at least 70 stitches and he also did a z-plasty on her right eye and used the laser on all scarred area! I am missing the Wichita support group, but thankfully Ruth Hughes and Marylou Gatan are here with me in the waiting room. Thanks for standing by. Monica – from TWR (Baltimore)
