One Child's Story of Survival
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: January 26, 2013
A little girl involved in a vicious attack has beaten the odds in her recovery. 4-year-old Jayden Forrester had crushed and broken bones after a family dog attacked her in September.
Jayden's dad calls the attack a freak accident. The family will never forget that horrifying day, but their daughter's recovery is truly a miracle; one that has changed their lives forever.
Jayden looks like your typical little girl, but she has been through more than most people can imagine. A pit bull attacked her at a cookout last September.
"When it happened, I thought for sure she wasn't going to make it," said Justin Forrester, Jayden's dad.
Her upper jaw was separated from the skull. Her lower jaw broken, five teeth missing, both cheekbones crushed and a tear duct torn.
"It wasn't until we actually got home and read through her medical paperwork from the doctor that she had actually passed and they had to resuscitate her and bring her back," said Forrester.
Justin and Malissa know their daughter's survival is nothing short of a miracle. Back in September, Jayden's life was almost taken. Now, she's back in school and recently celebrated her 4th birthday.
"She's doing really good. She plays. We had a birthday party for her a couple weeks ago. She loves playing with her friends," said Forrester.
When we last spoke with Jayden's family, doctors said she would need one more surgery on her tear duct. Weeks later, Jayden proved her strength yet again by taking her health into her own hands.
"She had actually pulled her own stent out and we were all freaked out. She came into the room, saying daddy, mommy, holding the tube from her eye, but she was fine. It's working properly," said Forrester.
Justin says while his daughter's accident was certainly tragic, her road to recovery continues to inspire them all.
"My mother said being a child and being so young, she doesn't know how to give up yet. That's a learned behavior to give up and quit, but she doesn't know how to do that, so her only choice was to move on and get back to the way things were," said Forrester.
Jayden's parents say cosmetic surgery may be needed down the road, but for now, she's doing great. Some more good news, Jayden will soon be a big sister.
Jayden's dad calls the attack a freak accident. The family will never forget that horrifying day, but their daughter's recovery is truly a miracle; one that has changed their lives forever.
Jayden looks like your typical little girl, but she has been through more than most people can imagine. A pit bull attacked her at a cookout last September.
"When it happened, I thought for sure she wasn't going to make it," said Justin Forrester, Jayden's dad.
Her upper jaw was separated from the skull. Her lower jaw broken, five teeth missing, both cheekbones crushed and a tear duct torn.
"It wasn't until we actually got home and read through her medical paperwork from the doctor that she had actually passed and they had to resuscitate her and bring her back," said Forrester.
Justin and Malissa know their daughter's survival is nothing short of a miracle. Back in September, Jayden's life was almost taken. Now, she's back in school and recently celebrated her 4th birthday.
"She's doing really good. She plays. We had a birthday party for her a couple weeks ago. She loves playing with her friends," said Forrester.
When we last spoke with Jayden's family, doctors said she would need one more surgery on her tear duct. Weeks later, Jayden proved her strength yet again by taking her health into her own hands.
"She had actually pulled her own stent out and we were all freaked out. She came into the room, saying daddy, mommy, holding the tube from her eye, but she was fine. It's working properly," said Forrester.
Justin says while his daughter's accident was certainly tragic, her road to recovery continues to inspire them all.
"My mother said being a child and being so young, she doesn't know how to give up yet. That's a learned behavior to give up and quit, but she doesn't know how to do that, so her only choice was to move on and get back to the way things were," said Forrester.
Jayden's parents say cosmetic surgery may be needed down the road, but for now, she's doing great. Some more good news, Jayden will soon be a big sister.
