Tori in the Daily Herald Newspaper - Sept 13th, 2005

Here is a story that came out in today's edition of the Daily Herald. There are only a couple of errors one being that the Dance Club is in Orem rather than Lindon and the other is that Tori could 'almost' sit up by herself. Enjoy!!

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=64168

Candle company to help teen

Michael Rigert DAILY HERALD

Empathizing with the tragedy and suffering of 15-year-old Tori Schmanski's family since she sustained a traumatic brain injury in a June 19 car accident, a Utah County business is hoping residents will say a prayer and light a candle for Tori.

Tori was critically injured in a Father's Day roll-over accident in Delta.
The sport utility vehicle she was riding in landed upside down in a canal. Everyone was able to escape but Tori, who was under water for 10 to 15 minutes before emergency personnel pulled her out. After being resuscitated in an ambulance, she was flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center where she has undergone treatment.

Shannon Young, For Every Body spokeswoman, said company CEO Becky Lunceford had daughters who attended the same Lindon dance studio as Tori.

"Though she didn't know Tori, when she heard about the accident, she wanted to help," Young said.

A week ago, the Lindon-based candle and gift company introduced a new line of special 26-ounce "Pray 4 Tori" candles, with all the proceeds going to assist the Schmanski family with Tori's medical bills. The $14 candles can be purchased at www.pray4tori.com or at For Every Body stores at the University Mall in Orem, and at the business' Lindon and Draper stores.

"As a mother, I can't imagine what the family is going through," Lunceford said. "We want to help in any way we can."

Tim Schmanski, Tori's father, said his daughter's recovery has been slow. He said the family had seen significant progress, including watching her sit up by herself, until a setback a week ago when she came down with pneumonia.

"But she's coming out of it now," Schmanski said. "She beat another one. We're just trying to be optimistic so she can relearn and regain a lot of what she had."

Many in the community have come to Tori's aid, her father said, through making contributions or buying a T-shirt, bracelet or candle from www.pray4tori.com or simply devising their own fund-raisers.

"We've relied greatly on prayers and support of the community ... and even complete strangers like Becky Lunceford," he said. "It's definitely had an impact."

A tentative fund-raiser featuring a dinner, entertainment and an auction is being planned for early December.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.