GROVE CITY -- The family of a young girl recovering from a freak accident is hoping the public can help out on the long road to recovery.
Nine-year-old Sara Charles was visiting her grandparents in Tennessee on December 27, 2012, when she was accidentally shot with an arrow that had been fired by her cousin as the children played in a barn.
Sara's mother, Kelly Charles, was alerted to the accident by phone, then immediately rushed to Port Columbus to board a plane.
"My dad... I remember him telling me there was an accident," Kelly said. "She was still alive, but she was really bad. My world stopped."
While waiting for her flight to leave, Kelly was contacted by Sara's doctors, who said the girl was in a coma; they did not know whether she would survive her injuries.
"It was the longest trip of my life," Kelly said.
A week and a half after the accident, Sara finally opened her eyes.
"She gave my dad the biggest smile when she saw them," Kelly said. "It was [the] moment we knew we could make it through this."
Sara has since returned to Grove City, and was greeted upon her arrival by her three sisters, Allison, 14, Heide, 12, and Cassie, 4, who decorated the garage door with banners and balloons.
"I was so happy, I had a huge smile on my face," Sara said, with tears in her eyes. "But the best part was seeing all of my sisters."
Months after her injury, Sara wears a helmet to protect her skull, part of which was removed by doctors to assist with recovery.
Kelly resigned from her job as a warehouse supervisor to take care of her daughter on a full-time basis.
Friends of the family have started a fund for Sara at Fifth/Third Bank.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so beginning on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.
Additionally, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser is planned for April 6, 2013, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, on White Road in Grove City.
Nine-year-old Sara Charles was visiting her grandparents in Tennessee on December 27, 2012, when she was accidentally shot with an arrow that had been fired by her cousin as the children played in a barn.
Sara's mother, Kelly Charles, was alerted to the accident by phone, then immediately rushed to Port Columbus to board a plane.
"My dad... I remember him telling me there was an accident," Kelly said. "She was still alive, but she was really bad. My world stopped."
While waiting for her flight to leave, Kelly was contacted by Sara's doctors, who said the girl was in a coma; they did not know whether she would survive her injuries.
"It was the longest trip of my life," Kelly said.
A week and a half after the accident, Sara finally opened her eyes.
"She gave my dad the biggest smile when she saw them," Kelly said. "It was [the] moment we knew we could make it through this."
Sara has since returned to Grove City, and was greeted upon her arrival by her three sisters, Allison, 14, Heide, 12, and Cassie, 4, who decorated the garage door with banners and balloons.
"I was so happy, I had a huge smile on my face," Sara said, with tears in her eyes. "But the best part was seeing all of my sisters."
Months after her injury, Sara wears a helmet to protect her skull, part of which was removed by doctors to assist with recovery.
Kelly resigned from her job as a warehouse supervisor to take care of her daughter on a full-time basis.
Friends of the family have started a fund for Sara at Fifth/Third Bank.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so beginning on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.
Additionally, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser is planned for April 6, 2013, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, on White Road in Grove City.
