Boy's Survival Fills Family with Gratitude

The family of Dominic Szymanski is filled with gratitude and relief that the last Friday, said Barrington Hough Street School Principal Lori Wilcox. 

“I talked to both the mom and dad. They are both just so incredibly relieved. They are filled with gratitude and relief he is going to live,” Wilcox said. “Dominic is in good spirits too. Not many people survive a train accident and he is aware of that.” 

Dominic lost a foot in the accident. He is continuing to undergo procedures at Lutheran General Hospital; he is expected to return to school before the end of the year, Wilcox said. 

Wilcox visited Dominic at the hospital on Monday. Friends in the Hough School community continue to visit him and to bring him cards and gifts. 

“We are continuing to get cards and packages. It is truly unbelievable. They are coming from all around Barrington as well as outside of Barrington,” she said. 

Hough School teachers sent Dominic art supplies.

“He loves to draw cartoons,” Wilcox said.

 The Hough Street School office continues to fill up with cards from well wishers. 

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“I know the family has been incredibly touched by the outpouring of support.

Wilcox said teachers talked to each individual class on Monday about the train accident.

On Dominic’s desk, there is a bin for cards and drawings from his classmates. 

“When they want to reach out to him, they can draw him a card or write a letter. We want to continue to replenish it, so he keeps connected with his classmates,” she said.

“The message from his family is that he is in good spirits and good condition and in a  great hospital. It helps that it is the best possible situation considering what could have been,” Wilcox said.