6/12/2009 6:00:00 AM
Newberry won't slow down
Garrett, 9, active despite losing leg in ATV accident
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Courtesy
Garrett gets fitted for a prosthetic leg. |
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JC AMBERLYN/Miner
Garrett Newberry works out during a Dolphins Swim Team practice June 2 at Centennial Pool. |
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KINGMAN - Those Hollywood types who like to remake films may want to go down another avenue should they decide to give "Braveheart" another try. Forget the William Wallace story - they should focus on Kingman's own Garrett Newberry.
It was almost a year ago - Aug. 8 - when an ATV Garrett, 9, was driving rolled over and crushed his right leg. Garrett had the lower portion of his leg amputated and is now on his third prosthetic. Despite the devastating injury, Garrett hasn't missed a beat.
Garrett is in his first year as a member of the Kingman Dolphins Swim Team and has begun to hit his stride in the pool. Garrett's sister, Mikayla, 12, has been on the team the past four years and urged Garrett to join the her.
"Garrett thought about it last year before the accident, but he wasn't quite there," said Garrett's mother, Lori Newberry. "He took right to it this summer."
His coaches on the Dolphins, Beth Mathe and Michael Perrine, are both impressed with Garrett's tenacity in the pool.
Perrine said he thought Garrett was a little nervous at the beginning of the season but that has changed.
"Once he got into it, he's doing fine," Perrine said. "He has one of the best attitudes and demeanors out there. He's an amazing kid."
Garrett's drive and independence has stood out for Mathe. "He is a very hard worker and he never asks for help," Mathe said. "He is progressing quickly and I'm very pleased. He's a great kid."
Same old Garret
One would expect Garrett to stay away from ATVs and the like, but that isn't the way he does things. Lori said Garrett is not only riding his ATV, he's also fallen in love with his dirt bike. Garrett had the dirt bike before his accident, but it was only two months ago when his enthusiasm for it came alive.
"He truly hasn't stopped doing it," Lori said.
Garrett said he's increased the activity, and not just ATVs and dirt bikes.
"I'm doing more now actually," Garrett said. "I ran into the garage with a go-cart on Easter."
Lori struggles to balance her fear of Garrett getting injured again with allowing Garrett to experience his life as he would like.
"It's scary, but I can't stop him from doing the things he likes," Lori said. "But it is terrifying."
Garrett's strength and courage not only got him through his difficult ordeal, they've helped to propel his family forward.
"How well he's handled it has been amazing," Lori said. "It's why we as a family handled it so well."
Though Garrett's attitude has been a blessing for the Newberry family, it hasn't necessarily been easy.
A perfect example of his carefree attitude is when he has to take his leg off in front of other people; it doesn't bother the 9-year-old at all.
"But the very first time he stood on one leg with the (swim) team was very tough," said Lori with tears in her eyes.
The biggest obstacle according to Garrett has been trying to drive an Arctic Cat snowmobile. He said it has been one of the hardest things for him to do since the accident.
"I was really good working the gas and brakes," Garrett said. "I would have said jumping on a trampoline, but we don't have one anymore."
Community lends a hand
The community of Kingman surrounded the Newberry family in October to help raise funds for Garrett's prosthetics. So far, Garrett's three prosthetics have totaled more than $30,000, and every time Garrett moves up a shoe size, he needs a new leg.
"The support of the community, friends and family - if not for them we would have been hurting," Lori said. "Everything they did was helpful to pay all doctor bills and the first prosthetic. Kiwanis held a separate fundraiser and donated $600 directly to the prosthetic company."
Lori is also very thankful to Manzanita Elementary. The accident occurred on the Saturday before school began for Garrett.
"Manzanita was a great help and very cooperative with days he had to miss," Lori said.
As a result, Garrett landed on the honor roll for the entire school year, "including the first quarter where he missed the first month," said Lori beaming with pride.
'Big brother' is impressed
When the accident happened, Cooper Kay, 15, was on the scene. Cooper wasn't just another kid on what was supposed to be a fun-filled adventure.
"Cooper is like my big brother," Garrett said.
During those panic-filled moments, it was Cooper who sprang into action. Cooper went and retrieved his father's truck and brought it to the scene of the accident.
"Everyone was telling each other what to do," Cooper said. "But nobody was responding, so I did."
Now, 10 months later, Cooper is awed by the resilience of his "little brother."
"He's done awesome," Cooper said. "I don't even know how he has such a strong heart to do that. He rides exactly the same and does things just like when he had his leg."
It's in the areas of daily life where Garrett has experienced the most change. Getting ready takes the family a little longer, and when Garrett has his leg off and hops around, it causes his mom consternation. But it was Garrett who got through it all, and it was Garrett who got his friends and family through it as well.
"We sit back and think, 'Thank God he handled it so well,'" Lori said. "I expected depression and fits. It was totally not what I was expecting."
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Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Eleanor VanZandt
Hi Garrett,
I am your Grandma Gloria's cousin. It sounds like you are a trouper. Keep it up. Nothing can defeat you if you don't let it. I'll be cheering for you all the way from Michigan.
Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009
Article comment by:
JEFF BROWN
Garrett's amazing strenght and courage has helped me see the forest thru the tree's. I was down in the dumps about the possiblities of knee replacment, and then I went to the fund raising at lori's shop. There I saw for myself how Garrett handeled himself with no pity, no shyness, all he wanted to do is play with his friends and be a normal little boy. Now with his commitment to his new goals I have little dought that he will go far beyond any expectation's of anyone. Go for it Garrett.
Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Salina Fogg
Keep it up Garrett and Newberry family! You guys are awesome people!
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