Granite Shoals child recovering from snake bite
By Savanna Gregg
The Highlander
A warm winter day turned into a nightmare for a 5-year-old Granite Shoals girl and her family this past Saturday, Jan. 20.
Emily Rose Oehler and her family were enjoying their day outdoors at Longhorn Caverns State Park in Burnet when Emily was struck by a western diamondback rattlesnake.
“(Oehler) was playing off the trail in an un-manicured section of high grass when she received the bite,” said Cory Evans of Inks Lake State Park.
Hoover Valley Emergency Medical Service immediately responded to the call and transported Oehler to Seton Highland Lakes Hospital in Burnet, where she was STARflighted to Austin. Oehler is currently at Dell Children's Hospital, where she has received multiple doses of anti-venom and has faced setbacks on the road to recovery.
The family reportedly has no insurance and is facing payment for many antivenom treatments. At a cost of $2,500 each, reports say the total bill for antivenom alone may be as much as $75,000. A GoFundMe account at www.gofundme.com/7v9ja-emily-rose had received $35,000 as of Thursday, Jan. 25.
“The money you donate will not just go to hospital bills,” said Emily Rose's mother, Alicia, on the GoFundMe page where she discussed the many other costs associated with treatment. “It will go to child care living expenses, food at the hospital. It will also allow my husband to stay with us at the hospital without digging a bigger financial hole.
“(It will help with) prescriptions and help through the time of her recovery and physical therapy … “We have never asked for help before from anyone and we never thought we would get this much help. You are all amazing.”
Rattlesnake sightings are rare this time of year, as they are normally in hiding, sheltering themselves from the cold weather.
“It just shows that you never know when the snakes are going to be out,” Evans said. “You can happen to step on one and agitate it and inflict a bite. Unfortunately she ran across its path.”
In light of this event, Evans offered some advice for those venturing out to enjoy the milder days of the Texas winter, as well as any other day of the year.
“We encourage people if at all possible to stay on our trails,” Evans said. “They are well marked and the grass is trimmed. Any time of year, it is good to stay where you can see and be aware of your surroundings.”
The Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD) also responded after word of the local child's mishap.
“Our community is home to many snakes and it's important to remember those snakes may be out trying to warm up or hidden trying to stay warm,” said a GSPD press release. “Please use caution when around rocks or other areas where snakes may be trying to keep warm. A bite from a venous snake can be very serious or even fatal to anyone, especially children and the elderly (pets too).
“If you see a snake, avoid it and keep everyone and your pets away from it. You can always call 911 if it's on your property or in your house.”
