“She’s our middle child of seven,” said Stacy Guidas from Panama City Beach, Florida.
“Ava has an old soul. With her red hair and freckles, she stands out. She loves people and animals. She was looking forward to a big year of volleyball, basketball, and softball at Mosley High School,” Stacy shared proudly.
Then her voice softened.
“But Ava won’t be playing sports this school year.”
On July 17, 14-year-old Ava Guidas climbed onto an ATV. Two of her friends were riding another one. The two vehicles drove side by side near a dry pond. In a sudden moment, Ava turned too sharply—and her life changed forever. The ATV flipped and landed on her.
Ava suffered a traumatic brain injury. She had a skull fracture, brain swelling, severe bleeding, and significant blood loss. Her eye sockets were injured, and she had multiple broken bones that required several surgeries—and countless prayers.
“Ava woke up in Pensacola Children’s Hospital,” Stacy recalled. “Thirty-four days later, we were transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Jacksonville.”
The journey since then has been incredibly hard, but Ava has shown her family what truly matters. One night at the hospital, sitting beside her dad Thomas, Ava said softly:
“Dad, I hate that this happened to me, but if it brought our family closer to each other and to God, then I’m okay with it being me.”
Now, there is good news—Ava is finally going home. After months of treatment, doctors have cleared her to return to Panama City later this week. They did find a brain aneurysm, but thankfully, it is under control.
“It’s still going to be a long road,” Stacy said, her voice filled with both relief and determination. “But Ava is going home.”
Ava’s courage and faith have inspired everyone around her. She would love to hear from anyone who wants to send her encouragement and prayers.
(Photos shared by Stacy Guidas.)
0 Comments