After nearly losing feet - and life - girl donates $5,000 courage award to paramedics

SEATTLE – Lily James didn’t want the money. She’s got her life, after all.

The 13-year-old girl, who could’ve lost both of her feet – or even her life – after a boating accident in Lake Washington six years ago, took a $5,000 prize she was recently awarded and donated it to the paramedic foundation that rescued her.

“I decided to donate to Medic One Foundation because they saved my life,” James said. “It made a life-changing moment survivable. I wanted to contribute specifically to the program supporting the training and education for pediatric advanced life support.”

James, then 7, was boating on the lake with her family when a gust of wind caught a tow rope, which wrapped around her ankle and ripped her into the water. When her Dad dived into the water to rescue her, he realized she was in danger of losing both feet - the rope had tangled around them and ripped them nearly off.

It was a long road, but she made a full recovery – thanks in large part to paramedics and doctors on the scene.

James was recently given the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Patient of Courage award – that’s where the $5,000 came from.

“We are so grateful and truly moved by Lilys huge heart and generosity,” Medic One executive director Jan Sprake said in a press release. “The training each Medic One paramedic receives consistently produces the most successful outcomes in the nation. Lily’s investment in continuing this success is inspiring.”