Before most children are potty trained Sullivan took an unsupervised dip into her backyard pool leading her to almost die in her own backyard.
“It was a Sunday morning and everyone in the house was getting ready for church said Sullivan, who was 18 months old at the time. My parents were looking after my other four siblings one of which had just come home from the hospital because of reflux pneumonia.”
The Sullivan household was full of the seven family members.
“Our house was very chaotic as usual and I had just learned to open doors. Our basement playroom opened up into our backyard which is where me and my brothers and sisters were playing said Sullivan. Before her family had a chance to notice she had disappeared, Sullivan had made her way to the pool and had sunk to the bottom. Her parents then quickly realized the absence of their daughter.
They searched the entire house calling my name over and over again but there was no response. Immediately my mom thought the worst said Sullivan. She ran to the side of the balcony. Overlooking our backyard pool she saw me face down blue in the water.”
Sullivan’s mother acted instantly. “Running as fast as she could down the stairs to save my life she knew this was going to be the end.” Sullivan’s mother removed her daughter from the pool and proceeded to do all that she could to save her daughter’s life.
“After getting me out of the pool CPR was performed. Unfortunately the ambulance did not arrive until a couple of hours later due to other tragic events from earlier that day said Sullivan.
Finally, Sullivan took one short breath, and was alive–barely–as she was transported to the hospital. But the battle was just beginning.
I spent nearly two months in the hospital afterwards for recovery part of which in a coma. Whenever my family members spoke with doctors regarding my condition the news was never good said Sullivan.
But baby Sullivan was determined to survive.
According to The National Safe Kid Campaign, The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion and most children who die (86 percent) are found after 10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe brain injury.”
The Sullivan’s held true to their faith that their daughter would fully recover.
“The hospital staff thought that if I ever was to recover from the accident that I would for sure suffer severe brain damage and I would never be the same again said Sullivan. The 18-month-old Sullivan clung to life and did not give up.
Then, one day, she seemed to get better. Amazingly, she survived.
Although I did have to go through therapy and intense recovery after the accident I was actually able to fully recover and in reality I suffered no brain damage said Sullivan. Her recovery was truly a miracle, and it changed Sullivan’s life.
Not only is swimming a big part of my life but faith is an even bigger part. If I did not believe I would have never been able to recover.” Sullivan actually became a competitive swimmer.
“My parents wanted us all to learn how to swim right when I recovered because they know so many babies and kids drown every year in Florida where we lived said Sullivan. They wanted to be safe.”
The Sullivan family did not want to risk another drowning.
“Since I learned to swim at such a young age I became a really good swimmer and it just went from there.” Sullivan then transferred her experience in the water from such a young age into a competitive attitude. She went from drowning in the water to being able to glide through the pool.
“I swam on the Pepperdine team freshmen year said Sullivan. Although her experience in the pool has played a significant role in who she is today, Sullivan has now stopped swimming competitively to redirect her focus. I quit to focus more on my studies and figure out what I actually want to do with my life.”
Sullivan has used such a tragic event to live with greater purpose. “I have been on TV for it many times to raise money for the hospital said Sullivan. She has the unique ability to speak firsthand of the dangers of water and uses her passion to help others become more aware.
It’s weird. Sometimes I think about what happened to me and even though I cannot remember the accident I feel like it changed me. I feel like I am different or here for a special reason said Sullivan.
Sullivan picked a university that had the ability to balance her dedication to athletics and spiritual beliefs. Her bubbly personality brightens up classrooms and adds to the Pepperdine community in her own unique way.
Unfortunately, Sullivan’s case is rare–most in her situation do not live to tell the story.
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, of all preschoolers who drown 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less.” Pool companies have listened to the facts and are constantly finding new ways to prevent unintentional drowning.
Many pool companies are increasing the safety of pool covers and teamed up with fence manufactures to offer deals on protecting homeowners and their families. Also there is a new system which beeps loudly when someone enters the pool.
“I was essentially dead Sullivan said. The doctors still don’t understand how I woke up. They call me the miracle baby.”