A 12-year-old boy has been left paralysed after he was allegedly shot during a sleepover at a friend’s house.
Myles Beardsley suffered devastating injuries after being shot on 4 April while spending the night with a friend.
Mum Alora Beardsley said she and her husband Robert, 51, were at home watching Harry Potter when their lives changed forever – later receiving a call to say there had been an accident.
“Myles had been asking all week if he could spend the night at his friend’s and we said we’d think about it,” Alora, 39, from Rochester, Washington, USA, told Need To Know.
“Robert was apprehensive but spoke to family members and we eventually decided to let him go.
“It’s the biggest regret of my life.
“We were in bed and we got a call saying he’d been shot.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Myles was airlifted to hospital, but it took Alora and Robert over an hour to work out which one.
Stay-at-home mum Alora said: “Robert and I both jumped out of bed.
“We were both freaking out.
“Robert and I called one hospital and they didn’t know what we were talking about.
“Then we called a medical centre and they didn’t know, so we called a third hospital who didn’t have a clue.
“So we called the police.
“We couldn’t find our son or anyone who could tell us what had happened for over an hour.
“Finally, the police called us and told us that our son was being airlifted to hospital so our friend drove me there.
“The hospital is around an hour away and Robert stayed behind to calm himself.
“There was traffic in the middle of the night because they were working on the freeway but I got there right as Myles’s flight was landing.
“I basically tuck and rolled before the car even stopped and rushed inside.
“Doctors said he had four gunshot wounds entering his body and neck and leaving through his spine.
“I went to see him and there was blood everywhere but he was awake.
“I kissed my baby, told him he was safe, alive and I’m so sorry that it happened to him.”
Myles was transferred to another hospital that could deal with the severe trauma to his spine.
The schoolboy was rushed into a nine-hour surgery to stabilise his spine with rods and screws.
Alora said: “Before surgery, we kissed his face, told him we loved him and let him know we were there.”
“We were terrified.
“Then they told us that he’d be paralysed from the neck down.
“It was devastating.
“We couldn’t believe what we were hearing.”
When Myles woke, he was unable to speak so his dad developed a painstaking communication system where Robert recited the alphabet and Myles blinked when the correct letter was reached.
He later underwent another surgery after doctors discovered injuries to his trachea and esophagus.
The family spent weeks by his bedside waiting for his neck wounds to heal enough for a tracheotomy procedure.
After the procedure, his heart stopped.
Thankfully, doctors were able to revive him immediately.
Alora said: “It was the worst experience ever.
“It’s been the worst time of our lives.”
After spending 38 days in intensive care, Myles was finally transferred to the rehabilitation floor, where he continues fighting to regain movement and independence.
Throughout his recovery, Myles received visits from loved ones and his teacher.
Mum-of-three Alora said: “I think his most special visit was his favourite teacher.
“She brought an entire bag of handmade cards and letters from all his classmates and friends.
“Almost every single card states how school isn’t the same and they miss their class clown.
“They send such heartfelt letters that when I read them to Myles he cries happy tears and sad tears.
“Myles is loved by so many people.
“He is such a pure soul, he loves everyone, he goes out of his way to make you smile and he truly cares about everyone.
“If someone is sad, Myles is always there to cheer them up.
“He’s just that type of person and I’m so lucky to be his mom.
“He makes me so proud.”
The investigation into the shooting is reportedly ongoing.
Alora said: “From our understanding, there was a gun in the house and one of the children got hold of it.
“It’s so very sad to know that my baby has lost so much because of that.
“It breaks my heart in ways I never knew existed.
“I wish I’d never let him go.”
The family is fundraising to help cover expenses while they remain in Seattle with Myles.
