Minn. Girl Recovering After Tug-of-War Accident

June 27, 2008— -- FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) - An 8-year-old girl from Fergus Fallsis recovering from multiple surgeries after she had four fingerssevered during a tug-of-war game at a charity benefit.

Alyssa Martin was at the I-94 BMX track in Fergus Falls on June20 for a "Race for Life" fundraiser for the Leukemia and LymphomaSociety. Her father, Cameron Martin, is the track's director.

During an intermission, Alyssa Martin was participating in atug-of-war for kids. Her left hand was wrapped around the rope andapparently got caught, severing four fingers.

She was rushed to North Memorial Hospital in the Twin Cities,and since then has had multiple surgeries to reconstruct herfingers. Probes in her fingertips are being used to tracktemperature changes in the damaged limbs.

Cameron Martin said his daughter, who is right-handed, was movedfrom intensive care to a pediatric ward on Thursday, and that'sshe's feeling much better.

"Even though she's going through the pain, as a parent it'salmost harder to see her have to go through this. It's reallytough," Cameron Martin said.

Brent Schiefert, a family friend, said doctors are optimisticthat Alyssa will get full range of motion back in her fingers butwon't know for sure for another six weeks until the tissue heals andbones set.

The Martins are a family of active BMX racers, and Alyssa iscurrently ranked eighth in the nation for her age division. CameronMartin said her goal is to be back racing within two years.

"After they start with the rehab, I don't think it will takethat long for her," Cameron Martin said. "The strength andoutlook she has is unbelievable for an 8-year-old, and we knewshe'd be the same fun, incredible girl no matter what happened."

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Information from: The Daily Journal,http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)