little champion

Sept. 26, 2010—Beth left home that morning to load her horses for a day of barrel racing. Jeremy went out to do chores while 14-year-old Tanner watched 3-year-old Laine.

Four miles from home, Beth got a call from Tanner. She heard Laine screaming and knew something terrible had happened. A gun had accidentally fired.

“Tanner did everything right, including calling the ambulance in Devils Lake,” says Beth.

The 12-gauge shotgun used for bird-hunting had been leaning against the corner by the door. When it fell, Laine was just 15 feet away.

quick trip to high-level care

The shot tore through Laine’s right hip, leaving one pellet behind. The wound was extensive, prompting the Devils Lake ER to call Sanford LifeFlight.

Beth accompanied Laine on the airlift to Fargo, thankful for a highly trained flight team.

At Sanford Medical Center, Dr. Gary Kubalak, trauma surgeon, removed the pellet and set the stage for an excellent recovery.

“We had a routine,” says Beth. “Laine would pull his little wagon into surgery, a child life specialist and I would go with him, she’d place the nitrous oxide mask on his face and he’d fall asleep. He’d wake up in his hospital room, have crackers and apple juice, then head to the playroom. He loved that.”

Children’s Miracle Network donations support the “awesome extras” the Nicholls appreciated—the child life specialists, the nitrous oxide program, the playroom and more.

And champion Laine? He jumps and plays like any 3-year-old. “Even ordinary things mean a lot after going through something like this,” Beth says. “We’re so grateful.”

For more on Laine and how to donate to Children's Miracle Network, visit foundation.sanfordhealth.org.