- April 24, 2024
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Chloe Walker has been taken off a respirator.
Old Kings Elementary School student Chloe Walker, 8, was placed in critical condition March 3, after a car accident on Rymfire Drive. She was in a coma for four weeks, according to her mother, Susan Walker, but has recently opened her eyes — although she is still unable to speak.
“She’s emotionally a mess right now,” her mother said. “A lot of weeping.”
The accident occurred on Chloe’s way to school, with her father, Deshawn, driving and her 12-year-old sister, Danaizha, riding along. According to Deshawn, he hit a curb and lost control of the car. That’s when he blacked out. Witnesses say his vehicle flipped several times before crashing into a tree.
Chloe was airlifted to Halifax Hospital, in Daytona, the day of the crash, Wednesday, March 2, and then was moved to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children the day after. Danaizha was listed in serious condition, but returned March 3, to school. Deshawn, 35, was not injured.
Immediately after the crash, with her father and sister still unconscious, Danaizha called 911 on her father’s cell phone. Then she called her mother, who couldn’t come to the site right away because she had to stay with her third daughter, 1-year-old Lauren, who had a stroke in utero and is currently on respirator support.
By the time Susan summoned a nurse for Lauren and arrived at the crash site, her daughters were already taken to hospitals out of town.
Chloe has now been off a respirator for four days. She’s looking around, according to her mom, but she can’t speak, and she’s weak on her right side. Doctors say it’s likely she suffered a stroke.
“We’ve been getting a lot of (support) from (Chloe’s) school, and surrounding schools in our community,” Susan said. “Students have been helping. Friends have been helping.”
Old Kings Elementary School started a “Coins for Chloe” charity after the crash, and has donated about $2,000 to Susan and her family. The Walkers’ church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Palm Coast, has also donated about $2,000. One church member donated a van for transportation to and from the hospital.
“Our community has been reaching out to us. We’re just real thankful, and hopefully everything will work out for us,” Susan said.
Susan has been staying at the Ronald McDonald House with Chloe since the accident, Danaizha has been with grandparents, and Deshawn has been commuting back and forth.
Although doctors are unable to predict much of Chloe’s recovery without measuring the degree of damage to her brain, she was admitted for further surgery April 4, to replace a piece of her skull that was removed because of brain swelling.
“They just know the faster they get her to rehab the more chances she has to get her motor skills back,” Susan said. Doctors should know soon whether Chloe will be admitted to Brooks Rehabilitation, in Jacksonville.
It’s hit-or-miss, Susan said, whether her daughter seems to recognize her in the hospital.
“It’s been a struggle,” Susan said, “because we have a disabled child already. It’s kind of rough trying to figure out how we’d deal with two.”
To donate coins for Chloe, call 517-2060.
