By Jodie Mozdz
Hartford Courant (Connecticut)
Copyright 2006 The Hartford Courant Company
DEEP RIVER, Conn. — When 10-year-old Nicole DiMasso was caught in the propeller of a motor boat this summer, paramedics were there to stabilize her. Now, as she recovers at home, local paramedics, and other emergency service workers, are trying to help her one more time — with support and a fundraiser for recovery costs.
To do so, paramedics from Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, where Nicole’s mother, Lisa McCarroll, works as a paramedic, will hold a motorcycle ride in Deep River.
“Being in the medical field, we know quite well the costs associated with recovery,” said Ralph Miro, a field paramedic with Middlesex Hospital and a coordinator of emergency medical services at Waterbury Hospital. “The ride is to help finance some of those costs and also to show support and solidarity in the medical services industry.”
The accident occurred when Nicole was learning to water ski while on vacation with her father in North Carolina. Her legs were caught in the propeller of the motor boat and she suffered fractures and lacerations. She will be in a wheelchair for another six weeks and might need additional surgery. After physical therapy, she is expected to be able to walk again.
While insurance covered most of the costs, McCarroll, a single mother, will have to stop working to stay with Nicole as she recovers. She is also unsure about how much physical therapy Nicole will need, and how much her insurance will cover. But she said that she was initially reluctant about the fundraiser because Nicole is progressing quickly.
“If people want to get together, I want them to do it knowing that we’re doing very well and we were very fortunate. It could be worse,” McCarroll said. “The wheelchair could have been permanent.”
If there are extra funds after Nicole’s recovery, McCarroll plans to donate them, possibly to the children’s hospital, she said.
The ride will be held Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The starting point is Devitts Field in Deep River, where food and refreshments will be served. For more information or to make a donation, contact Ralph Miro at 860-526-5123.