BOISE — What was supposed to be a happy memory for a young girl and her mother turned into a nightmare neither will want to remember.
Just after midnight Thursday morning, a young child named Isabella was seriously hurt after glass broke during the 13th annual Idaho Potato Drop fireworks show in downtown Boise, according to a KTVB report.
The celebration, which took place in front of the Idaho State Capitol, with free views from Cecil D. Andrus Park and West Bannock Street and North Capitol Boulevard, consists of a giant potato that rises and then falls amid fireworks in order to usher in the new year.
This was supposed to be Isabella’s first time seeing the production live, according to the GoFundMe campaign Stephanie Ratto started on Thursday in order to help costs related to Isabella’s medical expenses and the family’s recovery. Ratto is Isabella’s aunt.
The family’s recovery includes helping her father Richard Ratto, as he’ll “need to take time off work to care for and support his wife and daughter as they navigate this incredibly difficult time,” the campaign states. “Any donation, no matter the amount, will help ease the financial burden and allow this family to focus on healing. If you’re unable to give, (then) prayers, love, and sharing this fundraiser mean more than words can express.”
As of Friday afternoon, the campaign titled “A Brave Little Princess After the Boise Potato Drop,” had raised over $18,500 toward a goal of $22,000 through 340 donations.
During the fireworks display, an explosion caused nearby windows to shatter, according to the GoFundMe campaign. A piece of glass struck Isabella in the face. The windows were on the first floor of the AT&T Building, which sits at the corner of West Bannock Street and North Capitol Boulevard.
According to an Idaho News 6 post on Instagram, after glass shards were seen and heard falling on the sidewalk in front of the AT&T building, people were heard shouting “the windows shattered, the windows shattered.” Seconds later, a man screamed “paramedic, paramedic, we need a paramedic!”
Shortly after midnight the Boise Fire Department and Ada County EMS crews responded to reports of the child injured by glass that broke from the AT&T building.
The level of urgency and care the city and bystanders showed impressed the family.
“We are deeply grateful to the first responders on scene who ensured (Isabella) was transported safely and quickly, as well as the compassionate bystanders who stopped to help in those terrifying moments,” the family stated, according to the campaign.
Isabella was rushed to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital and went through three hours of surgery, the GoFundMe campaign states.
“A specialist was required to graft skin, and she now faces a long and difficult road to recovery,” the campaign states.
The campaign, which does not state Isabella’s age, says that she has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the campaign, having the disorder “can make processing trauma, medical procedures, pain, and sudden changes, especially overwhelming.”
It sounds as though there is worry beyond Isabella’s physically recovery.
“Her recovery, both physically and emotionally, may be more complex and require additional specialized support and therapy,” the campaign states. “Beyond the physical healing, the emotional impact of such a traumatic event is profound, and symptoms of trauma are a very real concern for both (Isabella) and her mother.”
On Thursday, according to the campaign, Isabella had her eye exam.
“It was a scary experience for her,” the campaign states. “Medical tests and unfamiliar environments can be especially overwhelming, but she was incredibly brave and got through it. We are so grateful and relieved to share that her eyesight is good.”
Another positive point in Isabella’s recovery, is she was released from the hospital Thursday night and was sent home, according to the campaign.
“She is resting, surrounded by the comfort and love of her family,” the campaign states. “The simple gift of being together at home has meant more than words can express.”
The family’s focus right now, is tending to their little girl’s immediate needs, helping her navigate this new normal, and creating a space where she feels safe and secure, according to the campaign.
The family seems relieved to have such a caring community.
“The family is deeply grateful for the overwhelming love and support from the Idaho community and beyond,” the campaign states. “It has been a source of strength during an incredibly difficult time.”
According to the campaign, Isabella’s parents planned to release their own statement on Friday evening.