Scrappy 8-year-old from Humboldt beats all odds in her battle against rabies
Precious Reynolds – scratched by a rabid cat outside her elementary school in rural Humboldt County – arrived at UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento on May 1 with about a 2 percent chance of survival.
Beside her dad, Willie Reynolds, Precious rests Sunday in the wheelchair she's eager and nearly able to leave behind. "I'm going home June 22," the second-grader confidently predicted.
A stuffed animal is fine for now, but Precious wants to get back home to Willow Creek – and back to riding sheep and wrestling boys.
Precious Reynolds and Dr. Theresa Vlautin embrace Sunday at UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento, an outcome few would have predicted when the girl was brought in a couple of weeks ago after being scratched by a feral – and rabid – cat. "You make me proud to be a doctor," Vlautin whispered to the girl, whose fighting spirit has impressed many.