Hero Ariona’s Determination Defies Odds After Trauma

Ariona and her family were riding in their car when they were abruptly struck by a drunk driver. She took the brunt of the impact, and it was touch and go during the 30 minutes it took hospital staff to revive her. Her spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries were only part of her extensive list of bodily traumas. Ariona was placed into a medically induced coma for two weeks, relied on a ventilator to breathe, and was temporarily blind, among many other complications. Doctors thought she would never walk, breathe on her own, eat solid foods, and be able to have control of certain muscles again. She endured so much and stayed determined to do the best that she could. Even through all of her struggles, she still manages to smile and amazes everyone with her progress. She’s now breathing on her own, eating regular foods, building her muscle strength, and is working on being able to sit up. She continues to exemplify courage and positivity, coping with the daily challenges of her life-altering trauma. Kids WishNetwork is honored to recognize Ariona as a Hero!

Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.