A 12-year-old girl is making an “incredible” recovery just weeks after a freak trampolining accident led to her right hand being AMPUTATED.
Vienna Hayers suffered a life-changing injury on June 10, when she performed a flip on the trampoline at her home and landed badly, with her right arm taking the full impact.
Her mum, Michelle Hayers, 46, rushed Vienna to the A&E department at Bedford Hospital in Beds., where she had several operations to try and save her hand.
But although doctors fixed the injury to Vienna’s bone, a week later she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London – where doctors realised there was nothing more they could do.
Vienna’s body had stopped flowing blood to her right hand – and the brave youngster had her hand, and the lower part of her arm, amputated.
However, talented young dancer Vienna, from Sharnbrook, near Bedford, has been left undeterred by her accident – and is determined to get back to dancing as soon as possible.
Primary school teacher Michelle said: “She’s just been incredible. She’s been telling the doctors, ‘This is not going to stop me’.
“She’s very strong. I think I’ve been drawing strength from her. After it happened she kept telling me, ‘Don’t cry mummy, we’re strong, we’ll get through this’.
“Vienna was right-hand dominant before so she’s having to adjust to using her left hand, but she’s been amazing.
“She’s been doing lettering, and has started taking the lids off yoghurt pots, and has been making keyrings for the nurses. I don’t think they can believe she’s only 12.”
Two separate fundraising pages have been set up to help raise money to aid Vienna’s recovery – and, over the course of just five days, have raised a combined total of almost £14,500.
Mum-of-two Michelle described the last few weeks as a “rollercoaster”.
She said: “The last few weeks have been life-changing. We’re still trying to process a lot of information.
“It really was just one freak accident. She’s a very sensible girl, and a very confident and competent dancer.
“She’s able to do tricks, but she knows her limits. She wasn’t doing anything outside of her limits. All it takes is just that one fall.”
Michelle, who is also mum to 14-year-old son Fin, added that the immediate aftermath to Vienna’s accident was one of “confusion”.
She said: “She’s never had anything more than chickenpox – we’ve never had to take her to the hospital before.
“Then suddenly, within a couple of hours of the accident, she’s in theatre.”
Michelle has been staying at Great Ormond Street Hospital with Vienna since a week after her accident – and says there are still a few more procedures to go.
And because of coronavirus, Vienna’s dad Gary, 45, has only seen his daughter a few times since she was transferred to London – and her brother Fin hasn’t been able to see her at all.
Michelle said: “They’ve been video-chatting, but it’s been difficult – I think it’s been hard for him to process her injury without being able to see her. It’s a lot for him to take in.”
Michelle added that Vienna is looking forward to getting back to her dance studio and on stage.
Vienna started dancing ten years ago in the ‘tiny tots’ class at Bedford-based dance studio Elev8 Dance Academy – and before lockdown, she was doing 12 classes a week.
One of the two fundraising pages for Vienna has been set up by her dance teachers at Elev8, and has raised over £4,500 in just three days to fund equipment to help Vienna’s rehabilitation.
The team at Elev8 wrote on their fundraising page: “Vienna is a shining star who is determined in her recovery.
“She is a huge part of our dance school – an assistant in all of our baby classes, a soloist and group member on our competition team and most importantly a friend to everyone.
“Her shining smile is always on display and her enthusiasm is contagious.
“As her dance family, we all know the strength of character she possesses.
“If you have ever met Vienna at a festival, you will know that she always has a smile and ‘well done’ for everyone.
“Any support you can offer toward her recovery and rehabilitation will go a very long way.
“We can’t wait to be back at dance and have you with us Vienna. We need you in our baby classes!”
Meanwhile Clair Bradley, mum of one of Vienna’s friends from dance, has also set up a GoFundMe page which has raised almost £10,000 since Saturday evening.
Clair hopes to help fund a new laptop and iPad for Vienna – which will help her to adapt to her new way of life, as she was right-hand dominant.
To donate to Vienna’s recovery, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-vienna-in-her-new-chapter or https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/viennasjourney-elev8studiosdanceacademy?.