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Beware Kipu Falls In Kauai!

irisheileen

By irisheileen,
in Hawaii

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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My niece just fractured her cervical spine at the falls yesterday. She has paralysis and is undergoing surgery now. All prayers appreciated.

 

I've included links as to the unsafe conditions at the falls. The local officials are discouraging travel sites from touting the falls. Apparently, there are at least two injuries a week there!

 

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/26/promo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/26/&h=280&w=280&sz=37&hl=en&start=7&sig2=6Wkpw3H3aDyYAe-DEc6rzQ&um=1&tbnid=Cla__-_TuvnhgM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&ei=quqdSLPPF4ueecOP-bIF&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkipu%2Bfalls%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_en%26sa%3DN

 

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/08/09/news/news03.prt

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Beach4me

Beach4me

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Sending prayers and all the positive karma possible your family's way. Keep us posted, please.

 

Did they airlift your niece to Honolulu?

 

One of my docs here in SC lived in Maui for many years. We were talking about Hana during one of my doc visits one day and he said that he hoped that when I went over there that I never swam in the Seven Sacred Pools. He said that the number of bacterial infections from the pools was "outrageous".

 

Maybe what we need is a travel guide written by the docs of Hawaii!

 

Again, hope that you are able to report some good news about your niece in the upcoming days.

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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Sending prayers and all the positive karma possible your family's way. Keep us posted, please.

 

Did they airlift your niece to Honolulu?

 

One of my docs here in SC lived in Maui for many years. We were talking about Hana during one of my doc visits one day and he said that he hoped that when I went over there that I never swam in the Seven Sacred Pools. He said that the number of bacterial infections from the pools was "outrageous".

 

Maybe what we need is a travel guide written by the docs of Hawaii!

 

Again, hope that you are able to report some good news about your niece in the upcoming days.

 

Yes, Melissa's been airlifted to The Queen's Medical Center and is currently in surgery. We are claiming a Miracle! Thanks you for your prayers! I'll post in the next coming days. Thanks.

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whale-watcher

whale-watcher

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Thanks for the reminder...waterfalls can be dangerous places even for experienced hikers and climbers (a classmate of mine died after falling from one on a high school field trip in the Blue Ridge mountains). Do keep us posted about Melissa...she is in our prayers!

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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UPDATE:

The neurosurgeon told my sister that it would take a Miracle to cure Melissa's paralysis. In God's Mercy, Melissa actually was "aware" of her legs and felt her Dad's hand on her thigh, BEFORE surgery!!! Her paralysis has been from the chest down. Then the surgery went well, according to the Surgeon.

 

The Queen's Medical Center has a cool website where one can email a current patient at their hospital. I have already sent out a request to all of my contacts to flood Melissa with encouraging emails. My sister has said that Melissa loved the emails which lifted her spirits...she's only 16 yrs old.

 

For anyone who would like to send an email, I've included the link below. Once you open the link, scroll down to the bottom of the page to actually open the information page. It's easy to do-her name is Melissa Nunn - ICU - room 468. Let her know that her Aunt Eileen's "cruisecritics friends" are praying for her!

 

http://www.queens.org/emailapatient.html

 

 

THANKS for all your prayers- CC comes through again!!!

Eileen:)

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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Melissa was THRILLED that so many people have sent her emails!!! Her sister told me that it means ALOT to the family. Keep 'em coming! Knowing that there are so many prayers comforts them.

 

Update:

Before her surgery, her father put his hand on her leg (while she was unable to see) and she asked "did you just touch my thigh?" That's encouraging!!

 

Now the surgery to fuse her vertebrae is complete. She's been kept on the ventilator since the surgery. She's able to get more pain medicine while on it, and she's developed pneumonia. She is, sadly, still in alot of post surgery pain.

 

I need to find out how to organize a fundraiser in their hometown. Could anyone direct me to a website, or "how-to" materials? Has anyone done one themselves? If you do, could you post here or email me:

irisheileen@hotmailDOTcom Use "cruisecritics" in the subject line so I don't junk it!

 

Moderator's, I am NOT NOT NOT asking for donations on this thread, just info!

Thanks again!

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oceanbear

oceanbear

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My niece just fractured her cervical spine at the falls yesterday. She has paralysis and is undergoing surgery now. All prayers appreciated.

 

I've included links as to the unsafe conditions at the falls. The local officials are discouraging travel sites from touting the falls. Apparently, there are at least two injuries a week there!

 

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/26/promo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/26/&h=280&w=280&sz=37&hl=en&start=7&sig2=6Wkpw3H3aDyYAe-DEc6rzQ&um=1&tbnid=Cla__-_TuvnhgM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&ei=quqdSLPPF4ueecOP-bIF&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkipu%2Bfalls%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_en%26sa%3DN

 

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/08/09/news/news03.prt

I visited Kipu Falls a few years ago, as part of a local excursion. It's a beautiful spot and it's relatively safe as long as you just swim in the pool; however, most people want to climb up one side of the falls to use the rope swing, and then sail out over the pool and drop in. Among the accidents that can and do happen are people letting go too late (too close to the cliff) or don’t let go at all and slam into the cliff. Serious injury can and does result. On our visit, just as we arrived, we witnessed a teenage girl slam back against the rocks and you heard her leg bone crack just before she fell screaming into the pool. Luckily, someone quickly jumped in and rescued her. After about 30mins, EMTs arrived and she was airlifted to a hospital. People, including some on our excursion, continued to climb up and use the swing. I was not one of them! Most of us were amazed that in this litigious age, where people sue at the slightest slip or fall, the general public still has free access to such a location. IMHO, it’s refreshing that people are allowed to practice freedom of choice and personal responsibility, but of course are saddened when someone is seriously injured. I too hope that your niece recovers quickly, completely and with a minimum of pain.

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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Most of us were amazed that in this litigious age, where people sue at the slightest slip or fall, the general public still has free access to such a location. IMHO, it’s refreshing that people are allowed to practice freedom of choice and personal responsibility, but of course are saddened when someone is seriously injured. I too hope that your niece recovers quickly, completely and with a minimum of pain.

 

I believe I read that it's on private property. The local officials are trying to discourage travel writers, etc. from promoting the site.

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kapoho2

kapoho2

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They just did a story about this horrible accident on the local news here in the islands at 6pm on KGMB. They also advised that Queens Med. Center has downgraded her condition from serious to critical. I don't know if this is new or not.

 

Our prayers are coming from the Big Island.

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GREGS1GIRL

GREGS1GIRL

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Just wanted to let you know I sent her an email and my family is praying for her. We have had our own miracle recently and we are claiming one for Melissa as well. May God's peace comfort you and your family! Let us know of her progress.

Love and prayers from Georgia!

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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Just wanted to let you know I sent her an email and my family is praying for her. We have had our own miracle recently and we are claiming one for Melissa as well. May God's peace comfort you and your family! Let us know of her progress.

Love and prayers from Georgia!

 

Thank you ALL! Her progress is reported on:

 

http://www.aMiracle4Melissa.org Our new website for her!

 

Eileen

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irisheileen

irisheileen

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They just did a story about this horrible accident on the local news here in the islands at 6pm on KGMB. They also advised that Queens Med. Center has downgraded her condition from serious to critical. I don't know if this is new or not.

 

Our prayers are coming from the Big Island.

 

How could I find out more about their news story on my niece? Is there a web site I could go to?

Thanks

Eileen

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