Family of boy injured in lawnmower accident finds strength in faith

A 4-year-old boy lost a leg to a lawnmower accident on Sunday, but doctors said they're hopeful that they can save Truett Shacklett's arm.

Investigators said Truett's father was mowing their lawn, in the 27500 block of West 83rd Street, late Sunday afternoon when the boy got behind the mower and became tangled in it.

He was flown to a hospital for treatment. Doctors said they had to amputate his right leg below the knee, but they hope that with more surgeries they won't need to also amputate his injured arm. Doctors said the fact that Truett is so young will probably give him an easier adjustment to a prosthetic leg.

The Rev. Brian Wright, of the Cedar Ridge Christian Church, said the family is leaning on God.

"I tell you, this family has what I call a fierce faith," Wright said. "Even in the family waiting room as we were talking with them, they're almost encouraging us."

The Shackletts are leaders at Wright's church. The church community is embracing them and helping out.

In the family's west Lenexa neighborhood, people were thinking about what happened while they worked in their own yards on Monday.

"It's something you really don't think about until it does happen, unfortunately, and so it's something that's looking forward (is a thing) to look out for," said neighbor Chad Harvey. "Watch out for your kids."

Neighbors said the family has only lived at the house for a couple of years. The family remodeled its home to accommodate their eight children.

Members of the Shacklett family passed along messages to thank the people who have reached out to them.

Read this article:
Family of boy injured in lawnmower accident finds strength in faith