Walking for crash survivor

Event raises money for medical needs of second-grader injured in accident when she was 4.Leilani Gutierrez, the Newport Heights Elementary second-grader who is quadriplegic and who missed five months of school due to a legal dispute, returned to class Monday for the first time since May.

Sunday, her family will host the fourth annual Walk for Leilani, an event that raises money for the girl’s insurance and other medical needs.

Leilani, who was hurt in a May 2002 car accident, has been paralyzed from the neck down since she was 4.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairview Park, near Estancia High School. Attendees may walk to raise money for the Gutierrez family and also enjoy a barbecue-style picnic and live music by the Johnscott Band.

Every year, the event nets around $20,000, according to Leilani’s grandmother, Vicki Gutierrez. Among the services the money pays for are health insurance premiums, herbal medication, acupuncture and insurance for the family’s handicapped-accessible van. Vicki Gutierrez said Leilani has both private and state medical insurance, but neither covers all her needs.

“Sometimes, trying to get something done can take months,� Gutierrez explained. “If the wheel breaks on the wheelchair, by the time you get done getting the wheel fixed, it could be a month from now.�

Since her accident three years ago, Leilani has been an inspirational figure for many in the community. She and her mother, June Gutierrez, appeared in a television commercial to support the stem cell research bill Proposition 71. In August 2002, shortly after Leilani woke from a coma following the accident, a group of bands held a benefit concert for her at the Hard Rock Cafe at Fashion Island.

Last year, an Arizona-based company presented her with a $42,500 wheelchair as a gift.

Also sponsoring this year’s Walk for Leilani are the Costa Mesa Police and Fire departments, the Costa Mesa Explorer Scouts, the Jo Hendriks Art Studio and others.20051015hkm27ykfKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)The fourth walk for Leilani Gutierrez is at Fairview Park on Sunday.