Sariah

On Valentine’s Day, 2018, Sariah and her mom were driving to school when their lives were changed forever. They were struck by another vehicle, and mom’s leg was pinned. She looked over to Sariah who was unresponsive. They were rushed to the emergency room, where mom’s leg was casted. Sariah remained in a coma for weeks with a spine broken in two places and paralysis from her shoulders down, including her lungs.

After time, Sariah awoke from her coma. She was transferred to Ranken Jordan in the beginning of April and at first, Sariah could barely speak.

“Sariah suffered such severe injuries yet remained 100 percent cognitively intact,” says Sara Sorenson, Ranken Jordan social worker. “She has a full range of emotions, and throughout her time at Ranken Jordan, she was quickly able to find her voice.”

Eventually, Sariah’s voice would return. Soon, she was singing, even performing mini “concerts” for the staff and patients at Ranken Jordan. “Sariah and her mom sing together often,” says Sara. “One day, I came into Sariah’s room and joined in on the fun, dancing and singing music from the show Mamma Mia. The other staff made fun of me, but Sariah defended me and cheered me on with her big, beautiful smile. She said I had great moves.”

Throughout her five months at Ranken Jordan, mom and her grandparents were always at her side.

“The way Sariah cares for others speaks volumes about the way she was raised,” Sara continues. “She notices if you wear a new outfit or wear your hair differently, or if you look sad or concerned. To care that much at age five is one thing. To care after such a catastrophic accident speaks volumes about the values she was raised with since birth. That is what will carry her through and help her survive the challenges that lie ahead.”

Sariah is at home now and continues to be creative through singing and even painting.  “It was so moving to see her go home. She has so much more ahead of her,” says Sara.