A local store is selling a new line of candles to help finance the rehabilitation of an Orem girl who was critically injured in a car accident last June.

For Every Body, a store based out of Lindon that sells bath and body products, has created the Pray4Tori line of candles in an effort to raise money to help Tori Schmanski, a 15-year-old still recovering from her crash injuries.

After seeing Pray4Tori written on cars and fliers, Becky Lunceford, CEO of For Every Body, wanted to get involved.

“It just kind of touched my heart,” Lunceford said. “ I wanted to do all I could to help.”

On June 19, Tori was riding with her younger sister and two cousins when their car rolled 2 1/2 times, landing upside down in a canal. Everyone but Tori was able to swim out of the vehicle. Both Tori’s cousin and sister remember being pushed out of the car, and believe it was Tori who pushed them.

After helping the other girls out, Tori was submerged for 10-15 minutes, trapped in the backseat of the car until members of an EMT team removed her. The EMT’s resuscitated her as she was rushed to the hospital, and then again during the life flight to Primary Children’s Medical Center. She has been fighting for her life ever since.

“She wasn’t supposed to make it through the first night,” said Tim Schmanski, Tori’s father. “She is so strong and a fighter, and made it through that.”

Because of an estimated 25 minutes without oxygen to her brain, doctors believed that Tori would be in a vegetative state, at best, following the accident. Yet in spite of predictions, Tori has shown miraculous activity.

“When she’s not fighting an infection, she is so in there,” said Marilyn Hess, the mother of a good friend of Tori’s.

Since the accident, Tori has shown responsiveness to sound and sight. She has moved, smiled, laughed, cried, and at times, been fully awake and aware. Despite her strong will to live and these positive responses, a long road of intense rehabilitation and therapy is ahead of her.

“We want her to have the best chance she can,” Hess said. “And that takes money.”

“Candles for a cause,” as Lunceford calls it, is one of many fundraisers currently operating on Tori’s behalf. Carwashes, bracelets, t-shirts and dance bags are among many of the other events and items sold to raise money for the Tori’s rehabilitation.

Despite all of the money that has already been donated, much more is needed.

“It is just a drop in the bucket,” said Hess.

Through the candles for a cause Lunceford hopes to help monetarily, as well as through publicizing Tori’s story. For Every Body distributes products around the world, and has three stores located in Draper, Lindon, and at the University Mall.

Candles with Tori’s picture on them are available for $14 at all of the For Every Body stores or online at foreverybody.com or pray4tori.com.



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Sep 2005