Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Benefit planned, fund established for girl

Benefit planned, fund established for girl

Jul 31, 2008 - 04:06:56 CDT

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

A 6-year-old girl who almost drowned in June is recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Trinity Dickerson is at a rehabilitation center outside the Bismarck-Mandan community. She was at a local hospital while she was in a coma and in the pediatric intensive care unit.

"She was a very vivacious, active, intelligent little girl," said Shealeen Hillerson, a family spokeswoman. She is the godmother of Trinity and her sister, Angel Dickerson. They are the daughters of Kristina and Brandon Dickerson of Bismarck.

Trinity will be at the rehabilitation center until the family can make some changes at home. The family needs to make its housing wheelchair accessible, and replace the carpet with laminate to reduce contaminant in the house that could harm Trinity, Hillerson said. They also need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

"It's very hard on them (the family), being separated from their daughter," Hillerson said.

The parents have taken time off from work to be able to be with their daughter.

Once she is home, she will need 24-hour care and continue physical therapy, occupational therapy and other treatment, Hillerson said.

A freewill donation benefit breakfast is scheduled Sunday at Charity Lutheran Church, on the corner of North Washington Street and Aspen Avenue. It is set from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A benefit account also is set up at American Bank Center to help with the family's expenses. People can make donations to the Trinity Dickerson Benefit Fund at any American Bank Center branch or mail it to the branch at 325 W. Arbor Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58504.

The family also is raising money through an online fundraiser at www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2008-07-09.3752031736/group action_view. This Web site allows users to read an update about Trinity and make donations using credit card or PayPal. This site is up through Aug. 22.

Trinity was at the Mandan Community Center with a Kids Club group from Riverside Elementary School on June 13. The Mandan Police Department received a 911 call at 1:46 p.m. about a near drowning. When EMS and ambulance arrived, she was already receiving CPR, Mandan Police Chief Dennis Bullinger said on the day of the incident.

(Reach Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

Just Me wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:22 PM:

" I just wanted to thank everybody who has donated money and to all who attended the benefit breakfast this morning. It was a huge success. However, we are still trying to raise money to help this family move to a home where Trinity can join them. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. "

LJK wrote on Aug 3, 2008 6:59 PM:

" What a horrifying event, and every parent's nightmare. We will be donating and are so glad the information has been made available to the public on how to help out this family. "

James Berkley wrote on Aug 2, 2008 2:32 PM:

" Just a message to the family. We are praying for a miracle that God would restore Trinity fully!

Blessings,
James "

IFYOUHAVEMYSPACE wrote on Aug 2, 2008 2:12 PM:

" I have posted this as bulletin on my myspace page! If you have a myspace or even email please get the message out for Trinity! It only takes a min to copy the website into an email or blog or bulletin. "

Riverside Mom wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:14 PM:

" Please make donations to this beautiful child. I was blessed to spend time with Trinity during a school function. She was happy, vibrant, and had a special glimmer in her eye. My daughter was in her Kindergarden class and was always saying good things about her. God bless your family and your in my thoughts and prayers. PLEASE DONATE!!! "

Just Me wrote on Jul 31, 2008 12:40 PM:

" If you are a personal friend of the family, you can email me and I will relay the message to the family. My email address is kimmyjo55@yahoo.com "

Hope wrote on Jul 31, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Out prayers are with this family.... "

Ex-Coworker from CA wrote on Jul 31, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Brandon & Kristina, my thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. I will be making a donation to the bank and attending the breakfast. If you need help with any remodeling when the time comes, we will be happy to help.

Online editor: how can I get my contact info to the family. "

ms wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:48 AM:

" Best of luck to Trinity and her family. "

wow wrote on Jul 31, 2008 8:32 AM:

" What a tragic. how life can change. God bless this family and many prayers are with you. "

Tommy wrote on Jul 31, 2008 7:58 AM:

" These are the types of things that people should be spending money on instead of PETA and saving the whooping crane. This is a cause worth donating too. How about People for the Ethical Treatment of People. I get so mad when I see these rich people with their "causes" I wish her the best of luck and my families prayers are with her. "

Josh wrote on Jul 31, 2008 7:32 AM:

" Dear editor - clicking on the link above doesn't work.

I had to remove the "/group" at the end to get to it.

http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2008-07-09.3752031736 "

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