Zayden is a normal, energetic and giggly 5-year-old who dresses up like Batman and wants to be a fireman.  

But the Wartrace boy has a slight difference: he’s missing his right hand, which he lost in a home mowing accident over the summer.  

His mother, Angela Arnold, who was with him at the time of the accident, says, “He has no fear. Even the doctors are amazed at how well he’s handling all the pain.”  

The accident happened in September. Zayden was riding on a zero-turn mower, sitting in the floor between his mother’s legs. Angela said Zayden started crying because he wanted to go to his sister who was in the yard.  

As Angela turned the mower around, she accidentally hit a concrete block, causing Zayden to fall off. The little boy’s right hand landed under the blades.  

Angela said she acted fast. “I didn’t know if he was going to start bleeding out or not.” She said she gripped his wrist so hard her fingers went numb.  

Angela’s two older sons ran across the road to the Wartrace Fire Station for help. Sadly, Zayden lost all his fingers, except his pinky. He’s undergone multiple surgeries and could have more to go, according to Angela.  

“He’s had surgeries every Wednesday this past month. It’s a find-out-more-as-you-go process.”  

Though he still has a lot of healing to do, Zayden hasn’t required pain medication. As well, his mother said he’s already learned how to use his left hand.  

On Halloween, Zayden was quite active. When asked how his hand is feeling, Zayden gave a thumbs up.  

The Wartrace community has stepped up to support Zayden. There’s also a little holiday happiness around the corner.  

Parade grand marshal  

Zayden has been selected as this year’s grand marshal for the 26th Annual Highway 41 Toy Convoy parade, which is planned for Sunday, Nov. 6. He will get to lead the convoy while riding in a fire truck.  

Katy Ishee, Toy Convoy organizer, recently said, “Zayden may not understand exactly what a grand marshal is, but he knows he’s going to ride in the fire truck with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and lead this year’s convoy.” 

Zayden recently met some of Wartrace’s firefighters, who dressed in full gear and showed him all the bells and whistles of a firetruck. “He’s a very strong kid,” said fire chief Mike De Jesus.  

There’s much more in store for Zayden. Ishee is hoping to enlist the help of an Australian prosthetic company, Free 3D Hands, which makes prosthetic hands for children at no cost. Ishee said they’ve sent in an application and hope to hear back soon. (The T-G will continue to cover Zayden’s story.)