Adrianna is Home!

Thirteen-year-old Adrianna Laing, the sole survivor of a fire that claimed the lives of her three brothers in Springfield, Westmoreland, in September last year, is now happily home after successful treatment in the United States (US).

The teenager, who suffered third-degree burns and lost one of her legs, received a rousing welcome on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston on Thursday (March 30) with her father, Adrian Laing,

She was met by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith, along with friends and teachers from Maggotty High, who greeted her with gifts and a song of encouragement.

Adrianna, who underwent 18 surgeries, told JIS News that she had been longing to return home and is looking forward to seeing her family and friends again.

“I want to say thank you to everybody who helped me,” she said.

After news broke of the tragedy, which touched the hearts of Jamaicans, both the Government and the private sector, including the Sanmerna Foundation, raised some US$40,000 for Adrianna to be transported to the US for treatment at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Georgia.

She was later transferred to Shriners Children’s Hospital for rehabilitation and was fitted with a prosthetic leg.

Adrianna and her father will benefit from a two-bedroom house, under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation’s New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

In the interim, they will live with Adrianna’s grandmother, and adequate preparations have been put in place through the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation to ensure her comfort.

Extending profound gratitude for the support received, Mr. Laing told JIS News that despite his daughter’s miraculous recovery, so far, she will have to undergo another surgery in August, to regain flexibility in her right arm.

Adrianna’s best friend, Saneika Davis is happy to have her friend back home. “I was there before [the incident] and I always will be,” Saneika told JIS News.

“I’m happy that Adrianna’s back and I’m grateful that God brought her through everything that she’s been going through, and I’m so happy that she’s here to be with me after all [the time] we’ve been separated. I’m so sorry that happened to her and her brothers,” she said.

Minister Johnson Smith commended Adrianna for remaining strong after her traumatic experience.

“We commend your strength; we commend the light in you that has definitely contributed to your recovery. We remember feeling so proud when your doctors said how strong you were. You were strong in mind, heart [and] body, and we give God thanks [to be able to] welcome you home,” she said.

Minister Johnson Smith extended gratitude to the stakeholders who contributed to Adrianna’s recovery and encouraged the public to “continue to support Adrianna and her family”.

“I want you to know that we’re standing with you and we’re going to see what else can be done to help you along this journey,” she said.

On his part, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Marlon Wilson, said that the process for the family to receive a home under the NSHP has started.

“There are some documents that need to be signed [and] we’ve been in communication with Adrian [her father] and we’ll be signing off on those documents and proceeding as soon as humanly possible,” Mr. Wilson said.

He further noted that conversations have begun with hoteliers in Negril for donation of comfort items such as a television, couch “and a few other items that will make her feel at home”.

Members of the Sanmerna Foundation team, who were also in attendance, expressed profound happiness that the youngster was able to safely return home.

Project Manager, Stephen Joseph, who played a pivotal role in journeying with Adrianna to the US within 48 hours of the fire, recounted the experience.

“I managed to jump on the aircraft with her and while [aboard] there were some very nervous moments. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it was hard to keep her temperature [steady],” Mr. Joseph said.

“When we got to the [hospital], there were about 13 doctors [and] I remember when they brought about 50 papers to be signed [but] I was just eager to see her live,” he continued.

Managing Director of the Foundation, Robert White, noted that Adrianna is the first burnt victim the organisation has assisted, who successfully made it through treatment.

“It was a race against time to save Adrianna’s life and we did it. The Lord has blessed us to help you [Adrianna] and the Lord has seen you through your journey, and you’re back home and we’re grateful,” he said.

“We want to ask everyone to remember her in your prayers because we start a different phase of recovery. Whatever support you can give her, continue to give her,” he implored.

Guidance Counsellor at Maggotty High School, Kerrian Roberts Vassell told JIS News that the necessary psychological support will be put in place to support Adrianna after her treatment is concluded.

“We are gearing up and getting ready to receive our baby girl back with us. It will be a bit overwhelming for her, but I think she will get settled [eventually],” she said.

Persons can support her treatments by donating to Account #604375622 at the National Commercial Bank Negril Branch.

The family extends gratitude to the Government, Sanmerna Foundation, Atlanta-Jamaica Association, Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), United States Embassy, JetBlue Airlines and all the relevant medical staff that attended during her treatment.