• Kennedy Mitchell accidentally swallowed a water bead. It swelled in her stomach and blocked her gut. • Her mother, Folichia, was told the baby had a 50% chance of surviving one of her surgeries. • Three years later, after Kennedy made a full recovery, her mom is training to be a nurse to give back.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kennedy Mitchell. medical. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I look at my 3 ½ year-old daughter, Kennedy, now, I see a healthy, energetic girl who loves ballet dancing, dressing up, and playing with her three older brothers.

It's hard to believe that she was fighting for her life in the pediatric ICU after accidentally swallowing a water bead toy while crawling on the floor at 10 months old.

Her oldest brother, Joshua,

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