Surviving life-threatening injury, 11-year-old metro Atlanta girl becomes symbol of hope

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It is one of the nightmares of a parent — watching your child face a life-threatening injury. That was the reality for one Georgia family. Today, that child is thriving and healthy and that injury has become a symbol of hope for other kids in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Hospitals.

The thing about gratitude is that it is a superpower many might not realize until they have difficult times.

“Every day, I am just really happy to be here because I feel like I have a purpose,” said an 11-year-old Arielle Urquhart.

But once harnessed, it can help many see the light in the worst circumstances.

“It was me and my mom going to school one day for this award program. This lady swung out and she just hit us and that is the last thing I remember,” said Urquhart.

Urquhart was only 7 when a car crash changed everything. She was in a separate hospital from her mom for three days. Once they were finally together again, Arielle had a very serious surgery ahead of her at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Doctors said Urquhart suffered an internal decapitation because her head was no longer attached to the spine. They say people with this injury survive 50% of the time.

“It was just a lot when you have a very healthy child. To see her go through something like that where she is literally fighting for her life,” said Shakira Massiah, Arielle’s mom.

It took close to a year but eventually, Urquhart was out of her wheelchair and walking again.

Now, she competes in pageants. She is a dancer, an artist and a violinist. She created an organization where she comes back to the hospital to show up for kids in the position she was in just years ago. She is also one of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Miracle Children, nominated because of the power of her story and its ability to inspire others.

“I can tell them my story so it can make them happier, and they feel less sad and they feel like they have a chance, which they do,” said Urquhart.

Said Massiah: “I feel like she is thriving and doing so well and a lot of kids, they don’t have that second chance. When you wake up, sometimes you take things for granted, I am just blessed and so happy that I got a second chance with my daughter.”

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