Story of Bridger Walker - the Boy who Saved His Sister from a Dog Attack. скачать в хорошем качестве

Story of Bridger Walker - the Boy who Saved His Sister from a Dog Attack.

Bridger was honored to receive the Rocky Mountain hero of the year award from the American Red Cross. In early 2016, Bridger’s world was rocked. At nineteen (19) months old, we introduced him to his brand-new baby sister. As his parents, we were anxious about how he would react, but without hesitation, he jumped into the oversized hospital chair and waited patiently for his turn to hold her. Since that moment, it was clear to us that there was a special bond between him and his sister. His little chubby-cheeked smile filled the room. When his grandpa asked for a turn, Bridger pointed to his chest, indicating that he wasn’t giving her up. And so it continued for the next 15 minutes. Anytime anyone attempted to take her from him, again, he would point at his chest. He had waited for his turn, and he wasn’t going to give her up. (picture included) Since that time, Bridger rarely strays far from his little sister, often to the irritation of her much less social nature. Bridger is gregarious, always learning, so full of love, and an absolute joy to have in our lives. Our home and our hearts would feel empty without him. Since COVID-19 hit the world with all its fury, we have also taken time out of our busy schedules to sit as a family each Sunday. We discuss how each family member is doing: going over the various goals set by each of our children and reading from the scriptures. Bridger commonly remembers more than his siblings, actively contributes, and amazes us with his ‘old-soul’ insights. So on July 9, 2020, it was no surprise to us that he stepped up to the plate in a major way. Please know that we have no desire to embellish what transpired. Our knowledge of events is necessarily limited to what we heard from our now four (4) year old daughter and from Bridger’s own account of events. While at a friend’s house, Bridger and his sister went into the home’s back yard. Upon entering the yard, the child with them pointed to one dog and said, “that is the nice dog,” and pointed to the other dog in the yard, explaining, “that is the mean one.” Bridger explained how, at that moment, the mean one ran at them. In Bridger’s words, “I stepped to the side, in front of my sister so that the dog wouldn’t get her. I kept moving, so it couldn’t get past.” Tragically, instead of running off, the dog leaped and latched onto Bridger’s cheek. Bridger explained that when the dog bit him, he yelled for his sister to run. Once the firefighters and EMTs arrived, we were able to begin evaluating Bridger’s injuries. Unsurprisingly, there was a LOT of blood – so much so that the firefighters asked Bridger if they could cut off his shirt. He refused and said, “My mom likes me in this shirt.” Bridger’s father was able to ride with him in the ambulance, and stay by his side, while his mother went home to care for and comfort the rest of the family. On the ride to the hospital, Bridger said, “I always wanted to ride in an ambulance . . . but not like this. Maybe I can ride home in one too?” At the hospital, emergency workers immediately wheeled Bridger into a curtained-off area. The only time he cried was when he got the IV. At one point, the assigned animal control officer came to tell us the dog was up to date on its vaccinations. She also explained that the dog’s owners were the ones that called to report the incident, that the dog was a 1 year old German Shepard mix rescue, and that the owners decided to put the dog to sleep. Bridger responded, “I don’t want anything bad to happen to the dog.” The most challenging moment for Bridger’s father was during a quiet moment between CAT scans. While he sat in a folding chair next to Bridger’s hospital bed, he began to ask about what happened and was able to gather the details above. When Bridger explained how he had shielded his sister, his father asked why he did that. Bridger, in his own words and without hesitation, declared, “If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.” Bridger’s father was able to keep it together just long enough for emergency workers to wheel Bridger into surgery. The surgery would be a nearly two (2) hour procedure; it involved pulling his face and scalp back together, holding it in place with over 90 stitches. Before leaving the ER for surgery, the incredible supervising doctor, Doctor Jordan Greer II, turned to Bridger’s father and said, “I want you to know he is the bravest patient I’ve ever had . . . I really mean it.” Many have asked how they can help. We are so very grateful but believe there are so many with a greater need. After much prayer and consideration, we ask that if you would like to help, please consider donating to a charity on Bridger's behalf. May we all follow Bridger’s example, put the needs of others first, and bring greater peace to our own homes, communities, states, and countries.