Every day, people wake up and go about their lives as if it’s just another normal day. Most of the time, we forget to truly be thankful for the simple act of waking up—even though we constantly remind ourselves not to take our lives, our families, our friends, or our possessions for granted. We set our days in motion, thinking we know what the hours ahead will bring, never imagining that life can change in an instant, in the span of just a few minutes.
This is the story of Gabby, a precious little girl whose life—and the lives of everyone who loves her—changed forever in the blink of an eye.
It was the morning of Friday, June 7, 2019. I had woken up, gotten ready, and headed to work, just like any other day. Fridays always carried a little extra excitement—two days off awaited, a brief reprieve from the usual rhythm. After work, I stopped at a friend’s house, which made me get home later than usual. I always called my mom on my way home, but that day, she didn’t answer. For some reason, I felt the need to call my brother, Tim.
When I reached him, he told me he was at a friend’s house with his kids, swimming and playing with a few other children. I could hear the laughter and excitement of my nieces and nephews in the background. At that moment, I never imagined it would be the last time I would hear Gabby’s little voice so carefree.
After our call, Tim said he’d be heading home soon, as the kids would be spending the night at our parents’ house, as they often did on weekends. Shortly after, my mom called me back. We talked about our days, and I mentioned I would stop by her house after running home to switch laundry. During our conversation, she told me a cardinal had landed outside their house, staring at her. She felt her grandma was visiting—and now, looking back, I believe that bird was a quiet sign preparing her for the devastating call she would soon make.
When I got home and began switching laundry, I heard loud honking outside. At the time, it seemed strange—but now, I believe there are small signs in life we only understand in hindsight, warning us that something is about to change.
Seconds later, my mom’s call came. Her voice trembled, the words barely making sense: “Gabby fell into the pool… she isn’t breathing.” My world stopped. I ran to her house, and the words hit me like a truck. I can still hear them replaying in my head, and I know I never will forget that feeling.
Tim has three children—Alex, Gabby, and Lilly. If anyone was destined to be a dad, it was Tim. These children are his world, and the love he and his wife, Paula, pour into them is unmatched.
That day, the kids had been swimming in the pool. Tim and his friend got all the children out to have some food. They helped remove their floaties, guided each child to eat, and once done, the kids moved to the swing set to play. Tim was sitting nearby, helping little Lilly cut a hot dog, when Gabby approached the pool. She climbed the ladder, likely reaching for a toy, and fell in. Tim and his friend immediately pulled her out and began performing CPR.
They teach you CPR in classes, and you think you’ll be ready if the time comes—but no training prepares you for performing it on your own four-year-old daughter.
Gabby was rushed by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Tim didn’t know if he would see her again. But through prayer and God’s grace, Gabby’s heart began to beat, and the doctors confirmed she was breathing. She was then airlifted to Lurie Children’s Hospital, as her condition was too critical to fly normally.
When my mom and I arrived to pick up Alex and Lilly, the expressions on the paramedics’ and police officers’ faces said it all. That day, Gabby’s accident changed so many lives forever.
Gabby spent 71 days in the ICU.
During those 71 days, Tim and Paula faced heartbreaking news repeatedly:
- They were told she couldn’t hear them, despite their efforts to talk and play music for her.
- They were told she would never breathe independently.
- They were told she would need a catheter for life.
- They were told she might never move again.
- They were told her chances of surviving her seizures were only 3 in 100.
Yet, against all odds, Gabby defied every grim prediction. Through prayer, love, and faith, she began to show signs of life and progress that stunned doctors. Her survival is nothing short of a miracle.
Gabby was given the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for HBOT therapy. She continues to receive multiple therapies alongside HBOT. Slowly but surely, she’s regained control—moving her eyes in unison, focusing for small periods, coughing on her own, and relaxing her little body enough to bend her arms and legs. Each milestone is a testament to the power of prayer, the strength of her parents, and God’s work in her life.
The community of Lockport rallied around Gabby and her family in ways they never could have imagined. Fundraisers and donations have provided the family with the resources Gabby needs. While her journey is far from over, her progress inspires hope, and her fight continues.
I want to leave a few critical reminders:
- Never rely on floating devices in water—they give children a false sense of security.
- Remove toys from pools when not in use; children may reach for them and fall in.
- Ensure ladders are removed, deck doors are secured, and pool safety mechanisms are in place.
Drowning is silent and is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4. Most accidents occur even when multiple adults are present, assuming someone else is watching.
If this has happened to you, know that accidents can occur to anyone. No parent asks for tragedy, and no one is perfect. Be your child’s voice, trust your instincts, and stand strong in decisions you feel are right. Tim and Paula fought relentlessly for Gabby, and without their determination, she would not be as far along as she is today. Doctors can advise, but love, faith, and perseverance often rewrite what seems like fate.
Let’s end the stigma and ensure our children are safe.
