August 6, 2022, the Faulkner family was enjoying a day outside at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee when they experienced an unthinkable tragedy. Their 7-year-old daughter, Sarah, was enjoying a swim when a teenager took a 30-foot plunge right above her, landing on Sarah’s back and sinking her all the way to the bottom. “She said when the girl landed on her back that her whole body froze, and she hit her head on the bottom of the creek and, evidently, drove her all the way to the bottom,” her father, Tre Faulkner, told a local station. Sarah was life-flighted to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she received 19 staples in her skull. The doctors also shared some devastating news. “I said, ‘Sir, man to man, just tell me the truth: will she ever walk again?’ He said, ‘No, I do not believe so… but there is something out there more powerful than me,” said Tre. Sarah was declared paralyzed from the chest down.

A Christian family, the Faulkners leaned on their faith. The couple wrote on their joint Facebook account to ask for prayers after Sarah’s story sparked media attention. “Please pray that the News special will touch many many people. Share it with all your friends and keep praying! May the name of Jesus and His infinite love be on full display,” they wrote. “I believe God can and will heal my daughter. I need a miracle. My wife needs a miracle. My children need a miracle. You need a miracle. Our country needs a miracle to show that God is real and God is alive,” said Tre. In an act of true Christian grace, the family also decided to forgive the girl who hurt Sarah. She had run away during the accident. “I asked [Sarah] what she thought we should do with the girl, and she said we should forgive her. So, we literally prayed for the girl. We can’t imagine what kind of pain she is going through right now,” said Tre.

While in the hospital, Sarah showed some minor improvement, able to move her feet some. In an update nearly one year after the accident, Sarah was still finding ways to continue her life despite her paralysis. As a horse lover, she received therapy at Magnolia Equine Assisted Therapies, where she can build her core strength up. Her mother, Kristin, said she still maintains a good attitude despite the numerous hospital stays she has undergone. “She makes the best out of every situation that she’s in, and she’s literally been an inspiration to our family.” Sarah herself, said she doesn’t feel hurt. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m not hurt. I’m like…just happy,” she said. She has regained some feeling in her stomach, occasionally her hips and toes, as well as her back. Her family has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with her bills.