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Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

I have been enthralled reading the stories of 11-year-old Mae Helgeson as requests for prayers have flooded Facebook in the last week.

Mae was driving a UTV near her family’s private pond Aug. 31 when the vehicle caught part of the pond embankment and overturned, pinning her underwater in Winnebago County.

According to authorities, first responders performed life-saving measures, and Mae was flown to Mayo in Rochester, where she was in the pediatric intensive care unit.

As I’m writing this Tuesday afternoon, the last post her parents posted on the CaringBridge site was on Saturday when they thanked friends and family for the prayers and support they had received. They said they had not received any positive test results and there had been no signs of neurological recovery progress in their daughter.

I waited with a pit in my stomach for more updates, and then I saw the death notice that was posted on the Schott Funeral Home website on Tuesday.

I did not know this little girl, but at least a half dozen of my Facebook friends did, and after her crash occurred, I found myself checking her CaringBridge page multiple times a day for updates about her condition.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people rallied around Mae, who was so full of life just days before.

I read of one friend who was teaching Mae about manual photography, and who was impressed with the girl’s love of the outdoors, which she described as “infectious and enchanting.”

My friend had spent a recent day with her, on which she said she thinks she learned more than Mae did as the girl explained about plants, things to watch out for, the birds and how to identify them.

“She taught me to really stop, listen and enjoy the outdoors,” my friend wrote.

Another friend, who is also a bird lover, said he, too, had the honor of taking Mae on a birding adventure, where they were able to photograph four owl species in a single day.

Another friend knew her from a different part of her life, where Mae competed in ninja competitions. This friend described Mae as a smart child who was caring to her little brothers and family and who loved being outside and experiencing all the joys of life.

As friends shared the posts, my Facebook feed was filled with posts of a community praying for Mae and her family.

I was touched by the influence she had on so many, and I know that those of us who did not have the pleasure of knowing her before her tragic accident have been blessed hearing more about her in the days since.

I add my prayers to the hundreds of others going up for the Helgeson family. Know that many near and far have followed your daughter’s story. We prayed for you in the last week, and we will continue to pray for you in the days and weeks to come.

Thank you for sharing your family’s love for Mae and of her wisdom and love — not only of nature but of life.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Wednesday.