VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Despite the scars and bandages, the smile on 2-year-old Amariyana Wells’ face says it all.
She was burned over more than 50 percent of her body, but doctors say Mari is making excellent progress. Her mother, LaTrice Wells is overjoyed.
“She’s doing good,” Wells said. “They weren’t expecting her to be like this that fast.”
Mari was covered from head to toe in bandages, unable to speak or even move on Dec. 13. Doctors didn't know if she would make it.
Mari was one of five children and two adults in a house fire on Denton Road in Van Buren Township.
She was saved by her 14-year-old uncle, Savion Robinson. He didn't make it out alive.
“I still have my days when I think about it and break down,” Wells said.
Since that day, the family has been on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing sorrow for their lost family member, yet joy for Mari's progress and then dealing with the financial burden.
“She’s sacrificed her home and her job to be here with her baby. I’m here, her other grandma is here and we’re just all pulling together and it's still a long road ahead,” said Mari’s paternal grandmother LaShawn Jones.
It’s a long road ahead that will include at least another big surgery and a lot more healing and physical therapy, but the prognosis couldn't be better.
“We just thank God. We know that it's a miracle. She's a miracle baby. That's her new nickname miracle Mari,” said Jones.
Mari doesn’t seem to be in a lot of pain, just some discomfort from the scars and skin grafts that can itch quite a bit.
If you would like to help the family, they’ve set up a GoFundMe where you can donate.