The mother of a three-year-old boy who suffered a brain injury after driving his toy tractor into a Utah river shared a heartbreaking update about her son’s health.
Levi Wright, son of rodeo star Spencer Wright, was initially declared brain dead after driving his toy tractor into a fast-flowing river in Beaver County on Tuesday.
His mother, Kallie Wright, jumped in to save him and rushed to the hospital where doctors restored his heartbeat, but warned the Wrights that Levi’s brain was too damaged for him to survive.
Levi miraculously showed signs of brain function on Friday, but now his mother warns that the hardest part of his journey is yet to come.
“We are exploring the therapies that have been mentioned, engaging with those that we think may be supportive for us, and bringing as many professional eyes on this as possible,” Kallie said in a Facebook update.
Levi Wright (pictured), son of rodeo star Spencer Wright, was initially declared brain dead after driving his toy tractor into a fast-flowing river in Beaver County on Tuesday.
Levi miraculously showed signs of brain function on Friday, but now his mother, Kallie Wright (left), warns that the hardest part of his journey is yet to come.
‘We still just need the prayers. We’ll need them for many years to come because I’m afraid we haven’t even gotten to the hardest part of this.
‘Our doctor is nothing short of exceptional and I believe with all my being that your heart is invested in him as he has given us the most precious gift of his time. Something we almost didn’t have.
‘Whether it’s time to see if God provides us with a miracle or if it’s time for us to investigate, learn and process all of this to make the most informed decisions.
‘Every decision Levi’s father and I make will be based on what we, the two people who know him best, think he would want. In all this, he comes first.
On Friday, his parents received the devastating news that an MRI showed a poor prognosis for the young man.
‘This is an experience, I pray from the bottom of my soul that you never have to know the way I’m starting to do it. This is a roller coaster where you ride accidentally and blindfolded, not knowing what comes next. You just have to wait and endure. “We’re taking it day by day,” Kallie said.
His parents are weighing medical advice and exploring different therapy options for their son’s recovery.
Kallie Wright dove in to save her three-year-old son when he drove his toy tractor into the raging river.
Late Thursday night, Levi woke up, according to his mother, who is at his bedside at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City with her husband Spencer.
‘The term “Brain Damage” is very broad, there are ranges and different severities. No two brain injuries are the same, even if the accident is similar. No two brains recover or do not recover the same. There are many things that medical professionals don’t know, but what they do say is based on legitimate medical literature and history.’
Late Thursday night, Levi woke up, according to his mother, who is at his bedside at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City with her husband Spencer.
LEVI WOKE UP! I’m shocked, we don’t know much, but the doctor said it was okay for me to be emotional about it, and I AM! My baby is so tough!’ she said.
‘He got a little wild so we had to calm him down again, but my heart!’
Later on Friday, he clarified that Levi was not “fully coherent” or speaking yet.
“He opened his eyes for a period of time, moving with purpose and less reflexively like before,” Kallie said.
Kallie said, not quite coherent, but she opened her eyes and moved purposefully.
However, on Friday his parents received the devastating news that an MRI gave a poor prognosis for the young man.
‘We still have a very long and tremendous road ahead, full of unknowns. ‘Spencer and I felt like he knew we were there and he could hear us.’
As Levi drove toward the river, the 911 caller frantically told the dispatcher that they couldn’t see him under the swift currents.
Kallie realized he had slipped away and ran to the river, and jumped into the currents to save him, and her friend said that she “was the one who found him, she pulled him out.”
A large response from rescue crews from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Beaver County Search and Rescue and Beaver Firefighters quickly arrived on scene.
Crews made life-saving efforts before an ambulance took him to Beaver County Hospital, and he was then flown by helicopter to Salt Lake City.
Spencer Wright’s family (pictured) is among the most prominent in rodeo history and is ranked 35th in the world.
Spencer Wright’s family is among the most notable in rodeo history and his father, Bill Wright, was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Spencer is ranked 35th in the world and his brothers are also renowned athletes in the sport.
ProRodeo CEO Tom Glause said in a statement: “The entire ProRodeo community is heartbroken for the Wright family.” “We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
