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Teen is hero in true story of snakes, danger

Bitten by rattler, he carried pal to safety.

By BETH N. GRAY
Published October 27, 2006

WEEKI WACHEE - Michael Evans says he doesn't feel like a hero.

"To me," says the 14-year-old, "the heroes are the men who died in 9/11, and tried to save lives in 9/11."

But the Withlacochee Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, have made it official. Earlier this month the chapter, with members in Hernando and Citrus counties, presented Evans with the Sons of the American Revolution Heroism Award, "for outstanding bravery and self sacrifice in imminent danger, thus exemplifying the high ideals and principles which motivated and sustained our patriot ancestors."

"Mikey," as he is known to family and friends, stepped into a rattlesnake pit while he and his playmate, Dustin Wright, 10, were in the Royal Highlands area on July 27. The boys were hiding behind a palmetto scrub when Mikey felt the sting he knew was a snakebite. He hoisted the Dustin onto his back and carried him some 60 to 70 feet out of the vacant lot.

Mikey noted recently, "I think if he was bigger and I was smaller, he'd have done the same thing for me."

Since Mikey was released after three weeks at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he was near death from four snake bites, he and Dustin have visited and recalled their ordeal.

Said Dustin recently, "I was like really scared. When he pulled me into the yard of the nearest house I jumped off his back.

"When (Mikey) passed out, I was really scared. I thought he wasn't going to make it. I'm glad he got saved."

Mikey also thought he was going to die, but paramedics from Hernando Fire Rescue Station 12 assured him he wouldn't pass on their watch.

After initial antivenin treatment at Oak Hill Hospital, he was airlifted to All-Children's.

His parents, Joe and Lorrie Evans, and 10-year-old sister, Emily, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during Mikey's hospitalization. He said it was a comfort to look out his window and see where his family was staying.

Recovering at home, and using a wheelchair and walker, Mikey celebrated his 14th birthday Oct. 2 by presenting gifts to those who helped him reach that date: fire rescue personnel, hospital staffers, doctors, helicopter pilots.

And he carried paper plates and napkins and plasticware to the Ronald McDonald House.

Mikey also envisions buying toys for siblings of patients at All Children's.

Already for the patients, Mikey has purchased a cell phone and hopes to pay for a year of phone service. While hospitalized, he missed the opportunity to call his friends back home.

The giving has gone both ways.

The Evans family has gotten nearly $3,000 from a fundraising pancake breakfast sponsored by Moose Lodge 1676, Brooksville, and a donation from tabs at Guy 'n Deanna's Elbow Room, Spring Hill, with support from Eagles Lodge 4497, Weeki Wachee, plus donations from readers.

The proceeds helped pay for refitting the family's house to accommodate Mikey's wheelchair and other necessities and to cover the weeklong stay in a motel while the retrofitting was done. And Mikey spent a bit on some game cubes for his birthday.

The family is most proud of the heroism prize. Said Joe Camillo, president of the Sons chapter, "We give out quite a few medals in several categories but this is the first (heroism medal). We're kind of particular. I thought this boy deserved something."

Mikey has graduated from his wheelchair and has even gone bicycling with Dustin. He continues to limp. Said his mother, "He has his leg; he has his foot, that's a miracle in itself. The good Lord will take care of him; I know that now."

Beth Gray can be reached at graybethn@earthlink.net .

[Last modified October 27, 2006, 06:41:58]