I call my photo tonight, "Flower For A Little Girl". Below, you will find out why.If you read my blog on a regular basis, then you will know its main focus. I write about "bilateral relations," business news and corporate issues.
But every now and then, something comes along that causes me to view such issues with a new perspective. Today is such a day and although I am a few posts short of the usual nine news items, I find it impossible to care enough tonight to continue to write about any of my usual topics.
There is a little girl in Sydney; a girl who since December 2003, has captured the hearts of this bustling, brassy city. Just before Christmas that year, little Sophie suffered horrific burns after a car crashed into her kindergarten.
Sophie lost both feet, some fingers and suffered third-degree burns to 85 per cent of her body. She underwent surgery at least three times during the time she was in hospital - three months of which were spent in intensive care. Her mum and dad were asked if they wanted to turn off her life support. Charges against the 69 year old driver were dropped last year after the court could not rule out that he had suffered a seizure.
Since then, we have been following her progress. We have watched her fight to survive, her battle to walk even a few steps. She has delighted us with her smile and encouraged us with her guts.
At 4pm today Sydney time, not far from a school, she was struck by a car while being pushed across a pedestrian crossing in a stroller. The car failed to stop at the crossing. She was thrown 18 metres by the impact. Ironically, according to Sydney radio reports, again the car was driven by a male in his 60s.
As I write, she is on life support suffering severe head, facial, chest and leg injuries. Her condition is said to be critical.
She is just five years old.
The little girl's mum asked a Sydney radio station, "Say a prayer for our little girl".
I am sure there are many who do not know Sophie, who would like to do just that.
Please do.
