Sinkland Farms

Review: I’m writing today on October 17, 2013, regarding my 9 year old daughter [redacted]. She is a beautiful soul that has the most vibrant smile that lights up entire room. On September 29, 2013 at Sink land Farms, Riner, VA; [redacted] smile has forever changed. I need someone’s help and I’ve reached out to sink land farm and Moon Walk Dance Company and no one will help us help our daughter [redacted]. During her visit, she had three of her incisors, permanent teeth compromised on the property of Sink land farm. One was completely disarticulated and the other two were 75% removed. As a result, my daughter has been robbed of her freedom. On September 29, 2013 [redacted]’s life has forever changed. Such simple privileges that many take for granted daily. She lost her freedom to smile. Along with, her self-confidence and that contagious smile, our sweet [redacted] can never do one of her favorite activities that many just take for granted, but are a huge deal to [redacted] and to all of us. I’ll just mention one. She no longer has the freedom to walk outside and pick an apple off the tree and munch away. No! She has to have her parents cut it up for her. What a hard lesson for her to learn.

Please help us protect other children that visit Sink land farm. I’m asking that a plan be, intergraded and implemented in future events held at Sink land- farms. Below, I have provided a brief description of my daughter’s day at the pumpkin patch. I was not with [redacted]. She went with a friend as I stayed at home and studied for a test I had the next day in nursing school.

They arrived to sink land farm and the children wanted to go and bounce, there they seen the electric bull. So my friend [redacted] purchased arm bands that included three activities they had a few times each. Then they decided to walk around and do other stuff at the farm. The children had 15 minutes until closing. [redacted] got in the line at the bull , [redacted] had her back to the ride talking to her husband, who was 10 yards away from [redacted] looking at her the whole time and said "oh no". [redacted] said, she turned around, [redacted]‘s was screaming with blood on her hands and face. [redacted] stated, she was unable to see much. But, “I’ll never forget it when I could see her front teeth were broken”. [redacted] went on to explain, though she was scared herself, she immediately began seeking help as she held my trembling daughter. The bull was still running this whole time. [redacted] said, she laid there for a moment looking for [redacted] when the man that was running the Bull walked over to her and just stared and said, ‘Man”. [redacted] decided to head over to the little house where they sell ice cream, as [redacted] is still screaming (not crying, screaming). She went on to explain, as they walked in people were everywhere just staring as she walked to the counter (3 girls and quite a few kids in front of the counter) that worked at sink land farms. [redacted] began to explain to the staff of Sink land, “[redacted] has been injured and her teeth broke off on the bull and nobody is helping”. Girl says,” there's a bathroom over there I think someone’s in it”. [redacted] and [redacted] stood there waiting to get into the rest room, when they finally did there was no paper towels. [redacted] grabbed toilet paper and began to clean [redacted]’s mouth, hands and face. This all took place for 20 minutes. [redacted] received no medical attention on the property of Sinkland farm. And it took 20 minutes for [redacted] to be cleaned up. And that is when I received the phone call from my friend. She was unable to call me sooner, because she was offered no support. Therefore, I was unable to get to my daughter until 45 minutes after the accident. I only live 20 minutes away. I jumped in the van and drove like crazy women to get to my daughter. Meanwhile, [redacted] is still screaming as she’s hemorrhaging. Nicole, then stated, people where all over in the building and no one asked if she was ok or needed anything. Except for one boy inside (that worked there) noticed she was still very upset. [redacted] explained to him what happened, and he said “let me go get the owner (sink lands)”. At this time [redacted] decided to take [redacted] out of building. She sat her on a hay bale outside of the building. The boy came back and said the owner’s said,” they’re not liable, to talk to the moon dance owner.” But sink land’s Owners did tell the boy to give [redacted] a free ice cream. Of course, she was not interested! As [redacted] sat there holding [redacted] as they are waiting for me, the moon dance company came and gave his card and said call and make a claim . My husband and I have called Moondance and Lawyers for 2 weekes straight, and no one will help us to help our daughter.

Finally, I made it to my daughter; it was the longest twenty minutes for me. I grabbed [redacted], as she was able to settle down some, once I comforted her and was able to slow her respirations, with deep breathing. I then, drove her to Radford, Lewis gale hospital. Which, we were referred to a dentist. Upon, many orthodontist appointments, we still have no solid answers. All, we know is there are only temporarily options for [redacted] until she is an adult, Eighteen years old. She has to live everyday of her childhood, with this horrendous fear over her head, at least for the next nine years. And then, again, when she’s eighteen. When she’s planning to attend a college, her senior year in high school she’ll also be planning for major surgeries. [redacted]’s mouth, smile, confidence and freedom to live have been altered, and will never be the same. Please help us, help our daughter. Sink land farms has the following to say,” Where’re not liable and she can have a free ice-cream.

Consumer

Response:

We are asking for [redacted]'s dental expenses to be paided and what the expenses are projected to be for her final repairs in the future.

Thank you,

[redacted] and [redacted]

Business

Response:

Spoke w/ owner, she says she will respond today. Moon Walk has engaged their insurance co. to work with the [redacted]'s.

Business

Response:

Sinkland Farms sincerely regrets that [redacted] LaFon was hurt during activities held during the 2013 Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival. The Festival offers a family friendly atmosphere with entertainment and agriculture education for all ages. To accomplish this goal, we have other vendors participate and join with us to add to the fun and enjoyment of all guests.

[redacted]s and More from Roanoke, Virginia has participated at Sinkland Farms during our pumpkin festival for several years and features inflatable rides/slides and a mechanical bull. During the course of the festival Sinkland Farms acquires liability statements from all vendors for their operations for profit on our grounds, to release the farm and owners from liability as best management practices. We also ensure that vendors have appropriate insurance coverage to participate in our festival. Further Sinkland Farms posts signs in many areas on our grounds according to the Virginia Agritourism recommendations on liability for injury.

I understand that immediately following a fall resulting from the mechanical bull, [redacted] was taken to our cottage shoppe to use an employee only bathroom rather than use the portapotties that are available during the festival. I do apologize that there were no towels/tissues for [redacted]'s use. Unfortunately, the attendents in the ice cream parlor are teenagers and were not prepared for hysteria from the adult and [redacted] on that date. I plan to have a special training for all future employees on health and safety in emergency situations prior to next season and for each year following. Again, we sympathsize and apologize. I understand that [redacted]s has enlisted his insurance firm to pay the claim for all damages incurred for this injury and, in fact, settlement is in process if not complete at this time.

We have completed 20 years of festivals for our community and region without an injury or complaint. We have always pledged as a family to maintain our property for the safety of our guests. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Susan Sink

Owner, Manager

Sinkland Farms