Sophie's Courage

You may not have heard the story of this brave little girl. So let me tell you about the strength of the human spirit to overcome all adversities.

Sophie Delezio was born in 2001 and lived a pretty normal life, so what makes Sophie different from millions of other children? Here is her story.

December 15, 2003 began like many other mornings. Sophie was dropped off at her Childcare Centre thats when Sophie's life changed forever.

What began as a normal day turned into a day of horror when a car crashed through the Childcare Centre and landed on Sophie and her friend Molly. Both girls were trapped as the car erupted into flames. People came from everywhere to evacuate the children to safety but little Sophie and Molly were trapped beneath the burning car.

Little Sophie suffered 3rd degree burns to over 80% of her body. Sophie also lost both her feet, some fingers from her hands and her right ear. Here is a description of how the surgeons saved what they could on Sophie's body.

"Working with a bio-engineered skin product developed in the US, Integra - comprising porcine, shark and bovine collagen - and a patch of skin about the size of a man's palm taken from the only unburnt part of her body, the scientists and surgeons succeeded where most others worldwide have failed...Using a combination of three technologies, Dr Maitz said, surgeons treated Sophie's wounds - some so deep that they had exposed bone and deep muscle tissue - in operations over several months."

What is amazing is Sophie's spirit of survival. Through all the operations, skin grafts and learning to walk again, Sophie kept her beaming smile.

After spending months recovering and being able to keep her smile, as she inspired all those who came into contact with her that Sophie's life would be normal. Not so!

In May 2006 Sophie was hit by car when using a pedestrian crossing with her care giver and care dog. Once again Sophie suffered serious injuries as she was thrown 18 metres on impact with the car. Sophie suffered a broken jaw, broken shoulder bone, bruising to her head, broken ribs and her left lung was pierced, she lost a huge amount of blood.

What makes this story so amazing is Sophie's indomitable spirit, she did not point the finger at God, she didnt blame the drivers, she just kept on smiling. Sophie stole the heart of a nation and I hope her story will touch your hearts.

Here are the words of her mother, "She's just got that extra something special..The fact that she has to put on legs to take that first step does not faze her at all, and she'll do it with a smile on her face.We're very fortunate to have that personality in our daughter."

And her Doctor, "She just has this amazing inner spirit, to smile despite all adversities."

So the next time you think life can't get any worse? Think of Sophie and smile.

Post Script.

Sophie's friend Molly suffered burns to 40% of her body. This brave little girl underwent 18 operations, spent nearly 2 months in hospital. She is well on the road to recovery.

Sophie and Molly

When God Made Fathers

When the good Lord was creating Fathers he started with a tall frame, and a female angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put Fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot a marble without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending,or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."

And God smiled and said...."Yes, but if I make him child size,who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a Father's hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said,"Do you know what you are doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons,rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."

And God smiled and said..."I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day.. yet small enough to cup a child's face in his hands."

And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. And the angel nearly fell over."Boy this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?"

And God smiled and said..."A Mother needs a lap. A Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crunching at least three of the guests?"

And God smiled and said..."They'll work. You'll see.They'll support a small child who wants to ride a horse, or scare off mice at the summer cabin,or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the Father few words, but a firm, authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an after-thought, he added ~ tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?"

And the angel was quiet.