Heroic Orphan's Miraculous Recovery

Good morning people of Ravenwood.

I am happy to report that there’s been a miraculous update following the tragedy of the local orphanage, Haven, that burned down about two months ago.

The local orphanage, Haven, that housed 25 precious children all under age 18 was recently burned down to the ground. This orphanage was first built and occupied in 1950. This is our only orphanage in the city and has been the home to many amazing children, providing them with love support, food and shelter until they reach adulthood. They would receive help to get a job or schooling and then their own stable housing. When this establishment was burnt to the ground it was a sad day for the children and a sad day for us all.

To this day the authorities still have not found the cause for this tragedy. There were no reported casualties, only one young girl was severely injured. She had to be rushed to the hospital from smoke inhalation and severe burns.

As the orphanage manager and children occupy a nearby hotel while the city rebuilds their home, this brave young girl has been fighting for her life and healing in the hospital. I have spoken to the lead doctor overseeing her care. He was not able to give me much information due to HIPPA, but he did want the public to know she came in with severe burns all over her body and was estimated to be a very long recovery if she didn’t succumb to her injuries.

The doctor also wants the public to know she is in good hands, and they will be monitoring her progress. They are staying in touch with the orphanage manager and the girl's siblings.

The miracle I am reporting on today is something the doctors could have never imagined to be possible. Due to the girl's severe burns, she was estimated to have a long recovery, possibly over a year at least. Recently it was found out that she is getting ready to discharge from her room and reunite with her family while they stay in the hotel to still wait for their home to finish being rebuilt.

This is quite a spectacle as she was only in the hospital for a couple months. I was able to interview her best friend, Craig.

He gave me permission to disclose his name and the comments he said about his best friend. He shared with us that his best friend Ashlee was caught in the fire because of her bravery. She was the one staying behind to make sure everyone got out safely. He then shared that he remembered her going into the building just before the beams cracked and fell because she claimed she heard a meow. She went inside after everyone was out of harm's way to save an innocent little kitten that one of her younger siblings brought home that day off the streets. Craig said that he did notice the little kitten escape thanks to Ashlee and her heroism. He reflected on how hot and intense the flames were from the fire. With tears in his eyes he spoke of how he felt scared and helpless to save his friend. He went on saying how he remembered trying to reach out for Ashlee as she ducked back into the falling building for the kitten, and his grasp was met with a piece of wood from the doorway that was being eaten by flames and the smell of burnt wood and smoke filling his nostrils, choking him. As we were talking, he collapsed remembering thinking he had lost his best friend. He shared his relief that she was saved in time by the fire fighters and hurried to the hospital. He expressed his gratitude to the city for pitching in as well. With them being homeless now it is harder to manage with so many mouths to feed.

When I found out the news that Ashlee was well enough to talk to others I asked if I could meet with her and get her account of everything. Thankfully she agreed. She disclosed how frightened she was when she first woke up in the hospital, all bandaged up. She told me that the doctors told her that she was expected to fully recover in a year or over a year with how damaged her skin was. This included multiple skin grafts and surgeries to remove dead tissue over a matter of months. She shared with me that she was also amazed that one day last week she woke up with less pain. She felt so much better she dared peek under one of her arm wrappings. When she saw that her arm looked almost normal instead of scraps of skin, she was shocked. Soon enough she pulled the rest of the bandages off with help of a nurse. She was so relieved to no longer look like a living mummy all wrapped up. She expressed how happy she is to be going back with her siblings and the orphanage manager soon. She also pointed out that she healed faster than the city approved and rebuilt their home. She let out a soft chuckle at that realization.

I asked her if she knew what happened to that kitten she saved. She said that she was visted by the kitten the night before she took her bandages off. She said that it felt like the kitten wanted to say thank you and let her know he was ok. Ashlee said she would love to do a follow up when the orphanage was reopened. For now, she plans on joining her family at the hotel. The orphanage is said to be finished in the next two to three months.

The city plans to reinforce the building with more fire and water safety features and extra rooms for the smaller children. A generous donation from the wonderful citizens of our city. It is a beautiful thing when a community comes together to help one of their own.

So, with all that said, it does seem like those who do good still get shined upon. She was rewarded for her amazing act of selflessness and is safe, healthy.

Until then, let this be a reminder that good deeds are noticed, and communities will come together.

That is all I have for this report.

Thank you, wonderful citizens of Ravenwood.