Missouri girl, seven, who survived tornado that killed her older sister and dumped her entire family in a field is learning to walk again: Twisters killed 90 across five states
- Avalinn Rackley, 7, has started walking again after a tornado ripped apart her Missouri home last week, breaking her vertebrae, killing her sister and severely injuring her mother
- The entire Rackley family took refuge in their bathroom before a tornado – one of more than 30 storms that ravaged through five states – launched them into the sky
- Avalinn’s older sister, Annistyn, 9, died in the disaster and mother Meghan, 32, suffered sever brain trauma
- Family members said Avalinn’s back surgery was a success and she will be able to go home by the weekend
- At least 88 people were killed in the swarm of tornadoes that destroyed hundreds of homes
- The total death toll is expected to rise as rescuers continue to search through the debris
A Missouri girl who saw a tornado rip apart her family home last week – killing her older sister, hospitalizing her mother and breaking her vertebrae – took her first steps on Thursday as she learns to walk again.
Avalinn Rackley, 7, aided by a walker and a neck brace, began a slow and steady stroll across her hospital room after a successful round of surgery on Wednesday, where family members cheered her on as they found hope amid their tragedy.
‘Good job! You’re doing so good,’ they are heard saying as they recorded the steps. ‘I love you so much.’
The resilient 7-year-old was smiling as Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital workers assisted her at the Memphis facility. When Avalinn appeared a bit strained from the exercise, a family members asked her, ‘What’s wrong, darling?’
To which the remarkable girl answered, ‘Nothing,’ as she continued walking.
Avalinn’s great-aunt, Sandra Hooker, 62, told DailyMail.com that Avalinn should be home by the weekend with her grandmother as family members pray for a miracle for her mother Meghan Rackley, 32, who suffered severe brain injury and is fighting for her life.
The plight of the Rackley family captured the nation’s attention when a photo of Avalinn and her sisters Annistyn, 9, and Alanna, 3, taking shelter in their bathroom went viral as more than 30 tornadoes rampaged through Kentucky, Missouri and three other states last week, killing at least 88 people.
