The family of a 7-week-old baby is appealing for prayers after their little one was struck by a softball in a freak accident. Last Wednesday, Lee and Kassy Hovenga took their newborn daughter, McKenna, on a family outing to a recreational softball game in Iowa when she was struck in the head.
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“Another pair of teams were playing and Lee was helping Kassy get situated with a blanket over her, so Kassy could breastfeed,” family member Laura Heise wrote on Facebook. “Lee had his back to the field and never saw the ball coming. The ball came over the fence — and either hit McKenna first or hit Kassy first. We’re really not sure as it happened so fast and Kassy was looking down at McKenna as she was feeding. Neither of them saw the ball as it came over the fence.”
According to ABC News, the fragile little baby was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and treated for reported skull fractures, two brain bleeds and multiple seizures.
The parents have been posting on a Facebook group, “Healing for McKenna,” to update friends and family on their daughter’s condition. Lee explained how he could never have imagined his healthy child falling victim to such a random and unfortunate accident.
“We hear about these accidents on the news every day throughout the Cedar Valley, never thinking of how many people other than myself are praying for the victims of these tragic accidents,” Lee wrote in a Facebook post, sharing photos of a beautiful, smiling McKenna prior to the accident. “It’s heartwarming knowing there are so many selfless people in this world that hope and pray for others.”
“Tonight I will be praying for everyone else’s children and family’s in hopes they never have to experience what we are going through,” he added.
A YouCaring page has been set up to help the family with medical costs — currently, it has raised over $40,000.
“At the advice of many who have privately messaged us who have experienced similar medical emergencies, we have raised our fundraising goals. These monies will be placed directly into an account in McKenna’s name and will be used for present and future medical care expenses ONLY,” the page reads.
In the latest update on McKenna’s condition, Laura wrote that she is still experiencing small seizures, but is also showing good signs of breathing on her own.
“I don’t know what we’d do if we weren’t at Mayo with the best of the best,” Laura wrote. “We are so very grateful McKenna is in such good hands.”
Prayers have been pouring in as McKenna continues to fight for her life.
“Father I lift this sweet baby up to you in prayer,” one person wrote on the YouCaring page.
“I pray for healing and help for mom and dad and all family. I know she is in your hands and all involved will be stronger and grow closer to you and each other. Just a few weeks ago at my son’s baseball game a ball almost hit my baby who was in my lap. I was not paying attention and it fell inches from her head. My thoughts quickly went to what if. I am so sorry yall are going through the what if. McKenna will be in our daily prayers. God bless you all.”
Please joins others in praying for McKenna’s healing, and ask that God would continue to give this brave family the supernatural strength to keep going for their little girl.
(H/T: ABC News)