Tot injured in swing set collapse goes home

Lexi's mom fastens her into a car seat for the ride home. [Martha Rial | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG -- Lexi Antorino,  the Palmetto 2-year-old who was injured in a swing set accident last December, was discharged early this afternoon from All Children's Hospital. She remains on a ventilator.

Lexi was rolled down the hallway on a wheelchair, her eyes closed. She was wrapped in a Princess Ariel blanket and wore Dora sneakers and a pink stocking hat.

Her mom, Sarah Antorino, walked next to her wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Lexi and the words "pray for my angel."

Lexi was critically injured Dec. 9 when a swing set collapsed on her, causing a pole to fall on her head while she was in a baby-harnessed swing seat.

The force of the blow broke a bone in her neck, cracked her skull and sent shards of bone into her brain.

- Melanie Ave, Times staff writer

Comments

[MS]

Im so happy to see that she finally get to go home. Home always makes a child heal faster. Lexi and her family are in my prayers!

[Chris]

I, like everyone reading this, pray for a complete recovery for this innocent little girl. What can people do to help this family cope?

[John]

Why is nobody mentioning that the reason this poor child is leaving the care of a hospital is because her family has no insurance and can't afford to keep her there any more? This is a wasted opportunity to talk about what's wrong with health care in this country.

[Karin]

Home is probably more comfortable and more convenient for her parents but reading John's comment about the insurance is true. People are denied proper care everyday due to lack of insurance or the resources to be able to receive the care they truly need. My thoughts and prayers to Lexi and her family.

[Elisabeth]

Are they really being sent home for lack of insurance? Is it safe for her to be home now? I have a daughter a bit younger than Lexi and I find this story just heartbreaking. It could have happened to any one of our children in this community.

[Amanda]

To her family: Stay strong and we all hope the best for your baby girl.

[skyebaby]

There is a website www.prayforlexi.com that can give you further information about what you can do to help Lexi and her family. Let's keep our fingers crossed that being at home will help her wake up. Don't forget that Sarah is also pregnant with a second child that is due shortly. God bless this family and bring them a miracle.

[kitty]

What a beautiful little girl. Does anyone know her long-term prognosis?

[Sue]

I cannot believe that the hospital did nothing to help this little angel. The hospital administrator could have stepped up to the plate and done something for this family. If one of my granddaughters was hurt in such a manner, I don't know what I would do but heads would roll! I would be so devastated. What a way to begin one's life. Good luck to the family. My prayers are with you.

[Je'san]

I will pray for lexie and hpoe she will be ok

For those above who said it's the reason for discharge- you have no idea that she's going home due to a lack of insurance!!! Not for profit hospitals like All Children's don't send people home b/c they can't pay IF they truly need to be hospitalized- take a look at how much they spend on charity care in this community! Bills aren't sent, payment isn't made, etc. until after a patient goes home, so really there's no way of knowing whether or not an uninsured patient will pay until after care- so no one sent her home b/c her family didn't pay. Further, it's a physician's decision when a patient is discharged and not a hospital administrator's. And guess what- physicians bill the patient too. If you don't know how the health care system works, please don't spread your ignorance to others!!

[Registered Nurse]

I'm sorry . . . I didn't read anything about her being discharged because she has no insurance.

Of course . . . the medical expenses will either be a charity care write-off for the hospital, or inadequately covered by Medicare, a state-sponsored safety net that provides reimbursement to healthcare providers and facilities for those who do not have insurance.

Now, let's talk about the next round of budget cuts (and decreasing reimbursement from 'for profit' health insurance companies) that will further impact hospitals such as the one where Lexie had received treatment . . . AND FROM WHICH SHE WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

If you were the parent of a critically injured child AND preparing for the arrival of another baby, would you rather be at home, or in a hospital? Which is a better environment for the child and her family?

What's being done for her in a hospital that can't be provided at home? Her current condition and prognosis has a lot to do with it. Let's discuss details and get our facts straight. The family healing will be better nurtured in their home.

[KAREEN THORPE]

DEAR SARAH,
I HEARD YOUR STORY AND MY HEART GOES OUT WITH YOU.I HAVE A 8MTHS OLD AND HE HAVE A TRACH AND HE IS ON A VENT STILL SO I CAN JUST HOW HEART RENDING IT MUST BE FOR YOU.
ONE THING I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO,IS CONTINUE TO PRAY,BECAUSE GOD LISTENS AND HE ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.
KEEP THE FAITH.ALL THE BEST.
KAREEN.

[txnonna]

If they had no insurance, did they not have Medicaid? That's what we as taxpayers help pay for. Also, I think if I were this little girls parent I think would look into suing the park to help pay for medical bills and future medical care. It is the PARKS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY. No one thinks that something will happen at a public park.
God bless this sweet child. I pray she will make a full recovery.

[Tony]

To all parents who have purchased or own a portable child swingset. They can be dangerous if abused. Crank it up a couple of turns give a little push and that's all it needs. My child was in one when I was watching him as his mother had gone to the store. I was behind him sitting on the couch pushing with my foot as I watched TV instead allowing the swing do it's own thing. Low and behold I pushed him to hard and his weight and momentum went to far and the rear swing set legs literally came off the ground about 5" he swung back then the front legs came off the ground about 7" and folded up. Luckily I was able to grab the swingset before it collapsed and saving my baby from any harm. Sarah, I hope your baby makes a full recovery and my prayers are with you. Also parents I believe a normal 2 year old may be to heavy for these swings. remember weight and momentum can actually tip these swings over.