My name is Jen. Last year, KSS were there for my daughter, Madi, after she was kicked by a passing horse.
Madi was just two-and-a-half years old at the time. My husband Alastair, Madi and her four-year-old brother Finn went out for a socially distanced walk in Claygate, Surrey. A horse was being led down a bridleway by its owner. We think the horse got a fright and kicked out at Madi.
No one saw the accident. All her dad remembers is someone shouting ‘Madi’s been kicked’, then seeing her lying unconscious on the ground.
I was working from home that day when I got the phone call every parent dreads. I remember frantically running through the house grabbing everything I might need. Within five minutes I was by Madi’s side.
I was shocked when I first saw Madi’s facial injuries and the blood, but I knew that I had to remain calm for our baby girl. I cradled her in my arms, while we waited for help to arrive.
I don’t remember at what point the air ambulance landed, but I remember feeling a huge sense of relief that Madi was in the best hands. The KSS crew spent about 20 minutes on scene assessing Madi’s injuries and deciding what immediate care she needed. Then they moved Madi and her daddy to the helicopter and flew them to St George’s, arriving 12 minutes later.
Sadly, Madi suffered a number of facial fractures and damage to her right eye. She’s had three surgeries over the past year. We’ve been advised Madi still has a long road ahead and is likely to have many surgeries until her face is fully grown. But she’s still a really happy, resilient three-year-old and we’re so proud of her.
