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Tenino Teen named "Miracle of the Season" |
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Written On: November 30, 2000 |
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Olympia _ Carly Boohm, a Tenino teenager who was revived after being submerged in the Wentachee River for 45 minutes, has been recognized as "The Miracle of the Season" by Gov. Gary Locke and the Association of Washington Business.
The recognition is part of the annual Capitol Campus Kids' Holiday Tree ceremony, slated for Friday, Dec. 1, in the Capitol Rotunda.
On April 15 Carly, 17, and a group of friends were canoeing on the Wenatchee River. While paddling down the river, Carly's canoe struck a pole and capsized, throwing her in the fast moving river.
By the time rescue workers arrived on scene, several minutes had passed. One worker described it as a "body recovery" instead of a rescue mission.
But, that worker didn't know Carly.
"Carly doesn't give up," says her father, Phil Boohm. "Even after 45 minutes under water."
After she was revived, Carly spent more than two months in the hospital, finally coming home on June 29.
In the intervening months, Carly has worked to rebuild her life. A cheerleader and an Adventure Scout, she has had to relearn how to walk and use her hands. Carly also has some short-term memory problems which she works daily to overcome.
"That Carly is able to recover form this terrible accident is truly a miracle," says Don Brunell, AWB president. "We are honored to have her participate in our Capitol Campus Kids' Holiday Tree project."
The Holiday Tree is the symbol of the Capitol Holiday Kids' Project, sponsored by the Association of Washington Business (AWB) in cooperation with the Capitol Campus Volunteers.
Since 1989, AWB members have donated the tree and contributed money for holiday gifts and toys for needy children. This year, nearly 150 AWB members and friends have contributed more than $14,000 to make the season brighter for children in rural areas of Thurston, Pierce, Mason and Grays Harbor counties. The toys and gifts are distributed by firefighters who moonlight as Santa's helpers during the holiday season.
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