A 12-year-old boy has been left paralyzed after he was allegedly shot during a sleepover at a friend's house in Rochester, Washington, USA. Myles Beardsley suffered devastating injuries after being shot on April 4 while spending the night with a friend.
Mother Alora Beardsley, 39, and her husband Robert, 51, were at home watching Harry Potter when their lives changed forever after receiving a call that there had been an accident. Alora said Myles had been asking all week to stay at his friend's house, and they eventually agreed, but she now describes the decision as 'the biggest regret of my life.'
Doctors said Myles had four gunshot wounds entering his body and neck and exiting through his spine. Alora recalled, 'I went to see him and there was blood everywhere but he was awake. I kissed my baby, told him he was safe, alive, and I'm so sorry that it happened to him.' Myles was transferred to a hospital equipped to handle severe spinal trauma, where he underwent a nine-hour surgery to stabilize his spine with rods and screws.
Before surgery, the family was told Myles would be paralyzed from the neck down. Alora said, 'It was devastating. We couldn't believe what we were hearing.' When Myles woke, he could not speak, so his father developed a communication system where he recited the alphabet and Myles blinked at the correct letter. He later underwent another surgery for injuries to his trachea and esophagus.
The family spent weeks by his bedside waiting for neck wounds to heal enough for a tracheotomy. After the procedure, his heart stopped, but doctors revived him immediately. Alora described it as 'the worst experience ever.' After 38 days in intensive care, Myles was transferred to the rehabilitation floor, where he continues fighting to regain movement and independence. He received visits from loved ones and his favorite teacher, who brought handmade cards and letters from classmates.
Alora said, 'Almost every single card states how school isn't the same and they miss their class clown. Myles is loved by so many people. He is such a pure soul.' The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Alora believes a gun in the house was accessed by a child. The family is fundraising to cover expenses while they remain in Seattle with Myles.
