Those who know Italia McAllister know how much she loves cheerleading, dancing and gymnastics. The 5-year-old will take any opportunity to play outside, and her infectious smile is proof of her positive spirit.

The latter is a trait she's depended on over the past several days after she lost her foot in a riding lawnmower accident in her grandparents' yard in Elkhart.

On Tuesday evening, Italia was playing outside with her 3-year-old brother as a family member mowed the lawn, said her father, Cody McAllister. The two chased the mower as the family member drove it into a corner. He stopped and reversed it, not knowing the kids were behind him.

Trash barrels on the back of the mower knocked Italia down, McAllister said, and the machine caught her left foot.

"We were sitting on the deck, and I heard, you know, just like a rock getting caught in a lawnmower," McAllister said. "I mean, that's the sound I heard, and there's no rocks in that area. So I just happened to look and she was laying on the ground, and I knew it was bad."

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McAllister sprinted over to her and took her to the back door by the garage. They called 911 immediately but didn't want to wait. McAllister's dad, who was an EMT, stopped the bleeding and put her foot into a splint. 

"He saved her life," McAllister said.

Then the family drove Italia to the hospital, and then she was flown out to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health for surgery. But the surgeons couldn't save her left foot.

"Nobody ever thinks to look behind them on a lawnmower," McAllister said. "That's why I'm trying to raise awareness of it and get people to realize it can happen to anybody."

The family member who drove the mower is struggling deeply with what happened, said McAllister, who didn't want to make him feel even worse by naming him.

Over the past few days, Italia, who's the second of McAllister and Robyn McAllister's three children, has come through surgery well. The kindergartner is keeping up with her schoolwork, painting, playing electronic fishing games and making charms for a bracelet.

"She wants to start doing things on her own," McAllister said. "So she'll get up to her walker by herself and and actually walk, with a little help so she doesn't fall."

For her kindergarten graduation this month at Pinewood Elementary School, Italia's room will be filled with decorations and webcams so she can see her classmates and they can see her, McAllister said.

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Italia's classmates know her as an outgoing friend who loves strawberries, the colors pink and purple, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The little girl, whose name reflects Italian heritage on her mom's side, always asks for Belle's goldish-yellow dress each time she visits the Disney Store, McAllister said. 

Italia also is known for her sense of humor, which remains intact as she makes visitors laugh in her hospital room.

"She can just look at you ... crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue," McAllister said. "She'll make up her own jokes and they don't even make sense, but they're still funny." 

Italia began physical therapy Friday, her dad said, and she has a few more surgeries ahead of her. She'll have a walker for a few months and then her family will look into prosthetics.

"Honestly, she's my hero. I would never be able to do what she's doing right now," McAllister said.

To help with costs, Italia's aunt set up a GoFundMe page — "Italia's road to recovery" — with a goal to raise $30,000. McAllister said the money will go toward his daughter's hospital bills, prosthetics, visits to the doctor and anything else she needs.

Those interested in sending cards and gifts can address them to: Italia McAllister, Burn Unit 5 East-Room #5221, Riley Children's Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202.


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