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Laura Neale, Second "Hero-In-Training Overcomes Tragedy To Gain International Recognition As One Of Eight New Comic Book Hero Characters!

This Newspaper Article Documented the Tragedies That Struck the Neale Family When Laura and Sarah Were Severely Injured By a Drunk Driver

December 8, 1993

by Ralph Zuranski

The sickening screech of tortured rubber against rough pavement startled early morning Los Angeles commuters and residents.

The frightening sound was a forewarning of impending tragedy.

In the blink of an eye, the thunderous explosion of sound caused by two autos colliding announced the beginning of the ultimate, unthinkable, nightmare chain of events for an innocent family. The hearts of witnesses ached at the terrible sight before them.

Waves of anger and disbelief washed over the bystanders.

People raced to aid of the seriously injured young girls. Strong arms imprisoned the drunk driver, as he attempted to run, blocking his escape.

Laura and Sarah Neale were on their way to school.

Now they lay trapped in the twisted wreckage of their parents car. Both were screaming in pain, grief and disbelief. The irresponsible young man who caused the accident was too drunk to care; too inconsiderate to comprehend the devastating consequences of his drinking and driving.

The thoughtless actions of this drunk, uninsured driver, who was on probation, resulted in a tragedy of devastating proportions. The lives of the Neale family had been violated and brutalized at the deepest levels. They did not have "Uninsured Motorist Coverage" on the girl's insurance policy. The guilty man would not pay one penny. The victims would be made to suffer even more. This was a cruel, unexpected financial blow.

Laura had been sitting on the top of the world.

She was one of eight children chosen from thousands to appear in "Defiant's Good Guys" comic book about the fictional lives of young super heroes.

Now this beautiful, kind, loving fifteen year old writhed in terrible pain.

Her back was broken. The L1 vertebrae had disintegrated. The powerful shearing forces of the crash were beyond belief. Her sister Sarah's elbow was crushed.

Their parents, Cindy and Ted were devastated by this unexpected, incomprehensible turn of events.

They suffered in agonized silence. They were unable to help Laura as she fought an intense battle against total paralysis, her body wracked by incredible pain.

As Laura lay immobilized in her hospital bed, Jim Shooter and the staff at "Defiant Comics" were stunned and dismayed by the bad news relayed by a grieving father. Each of the thousands of children entering the contest had found a special place in the hearts of the "Defiant" staff.

J. Clark Smith told me emotionally, "The children's letters were so poignant. Many exposed the injured hearts of many young people brutalized by a viscous and cruel world."

The eight contest winners had been adopted into the "Defiant" family.

Many prayed for Laura and desperately wished for her complete recovery.

The staff immediately sent a large get-well card composed of the original cover artwork for the "Good Guys" and a gorgeous, stuffed animal. This gesture was a magnificent display of their love and concern but it paled in comparison to the magnitude of the disaster.

The "Good Guys" kickoff promotion was only two weeks away.

The big question was, "Would Laura survive the ten hours of dangerous surgery required to repair the severe trauma to her spine?" No one even considered the possibility she would be able to attend the function.

Laura's spine required the fusing of three bones in her back.

She would have three stainless steel rods in her spine forever. Bone fragments were surgically removed from her hip and rib to build a replacement vertebrae. All her organs were temporarily removed from the body cavity during the delicate surgery. Laura bravely fought for her life on the operating table; tenaciously clinging to the fleeting hope of a normal future.

During this long, horrible ordeal, Laura was given morphine to help control the unbelievable pain.

Once she was released to go home, she could only take Tylenol. Other stronger pain killers made her sick.

Laura's insides hurt terribly.

They were bruised during the operation. She could hardly eat or hold down food. Laura was forced to begin walking and standing immediately. Most of the time was spent sitting in a wheel chair fighting the pain and trying to sleep.

Laura refused to become discouraged, bitter or angry.

She decided to focus on good. Laura made up her mind that she would be there, on stage, when Jim Shooter introduced the eight "Good Guys" to the world. She knew that a lot of kids who read the "Good Guys" comic were expecting her character "Flex" to triumph over this tragic event.

November 27, the big day, arrived in a blur.

Laura proved she possesses a special, heroic level of courage and determination. She survived the 60 minute drive to "Mile High Mega Comic Store" and stood on stage with the other children long enough to be introduced as a Good Guy. Then she sat bravely in her wheel chair for over an hour signing autographs for the adoring fans.

Everyone was so of proud Laura, especially her parents.

The "Defiant" staff and fans were impressed and inspired by this girl's strength, stamina, perseverance, fortitude and love. She is a true heroine, just like her character "Flex."

Cindy, her mom, said joyfully, "It feels really good.

I am just so happy that Laura is here. She has always been a good guy to me. Now she is a good guy to everyone. This contest has really helped. She lives day-by-day and hour-by-hour because of the accident. Today she has been able to go one step above."

Ted Neale said gratefully, "It is very, very exciting as I stand here watching her enjoy being a celebrity for a little while.

It is neat thing she is doing. I think she is a little awestruck at all this. It is kind of overwhelming. I just thank God she can be here. It is amazing how everything worked out. All I can say is that God is good."

After working with and interviewing most of the "Defiant" staff over the last six months, I believe they are the moral leaders in the comic industry.

They are dedicated, caring individuals producing quality stories. Their efforts to inspire young and old alike to live good, responsible lives are making the world a better place.

The "Good Guys" comic book and the ongoing contest to find new Heroes is transforming the minds, hearts and spirits of young people.

They single-handedly are creating a grass roots movement designed to inspire young people to become real-life Heroes in their homes, schools and communities. It is about time someone caused people of all ages to discover and implement the human qualities and actions that make Heroes out of ordinary people.