Sherry Ancrum received the worst phone call of her life five years ago today when she learned her daughter Molly had been shot while driving in Louisville.
A second call brought even more devastating news: her infant granddaughter, Ocean Robertson, had also been shot.
Ocean survived the attack that killed her mother, but the bullet tore through her skull and exited her torso, causing severe brain damage. Now 5 years old, Ocean cannot walk or talk, still requires a feeding tube, and suffers from seizures.
“She wasn’t supposed to pass a year,” Ancrum said, recalling the original prognosis doctors gave Ocean.
Ancrum, now caring for Ocean and her other grandchildren, describes the daily challenges of raising children again at her age while managing Ocean’s extensive medical needs.
“It’s hard. All the things that she’s going through I’m going through with her also,” Ancrum said.
Ocean requires 24-hour care and has undergone multiple surgeries. The most recent procedure was meant to help her walk, but her leg did not heal as doctors hoped. For now, she continues to scoot across the floor and pull herself up on her feet for short periods.
Ocean cannot attend school, although she tried earlier this school year. She does not understand what Christmas is about due to her injuries.
“There’s a lot she is still missing out on,” Ancrum said.
Despite the challenges, Ancrum remains hopeful Ocean will one day take her first steps. She allows Ocean to explore her limits around the house as long as she cannot hurt herself.
Ancrum receives some in-home care during the workweek, which gives her relief when she needs to run errands.
“If I have to run to the store or something, I have her here, and I can trust her,” Ancrum said of the caregiver.
Four years after doctors said Ocean might only live a year, Ancrum considers her granddaughter’s survival extraordinary.
“She’s still our little miracle child,” Ancrum said.
“I’ll say one thing,” Ancrum added after a long pause, “no one, nothing can take them away from me.”
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