Laine's Story

Laine
Age 4

North Dakota
Sanford Children’s Hospital
Accidental Gunshot Wound

In September 2010, Laine was the victim of an accidental gunshot wound to the thigh. Laine was immediately airlifted to Sanford Children’s Hospital for surgery and treatment. He needed a wound V.A.C. (Vacuum Assisted Closure) to provide a protected wound-healing environment that would remove infectious materials.

Demonstrating an incredibly positive attitude throughout his recovery, Laine called the wound V.A.C. his “machine” because it became a part of him and went everywhere he went. But Laine didn’t let the machine slow him down one bit. Less than one week after his injury, Laine was walking on his own.

Fortunately, the accident affected mostly tissue and very little muscle, so Laine won’t experience any permanent physical effects from the gunshot. Today Laine gravitates toward anything that has to do with farming, especially riding horses with his mom and helping his dad feed the cows.