A simple kitchen mishap turned into a life-threatening emergency when a 10-year-old boy from Mandurah, Australia, barely avoided paralysis after a freak accident involving a grilled cheese sandwich.
Last month, Landen Sturman was making a classic “cheese toastie” at home when he suddenly slipped, falling backward into an open dishwasher. In a horrifying turn of events, he landed directly on a knife that was standing upright in the utensil rack. The blade punctured his spine, stopping just millimeters from causing permanent paralysis, according to doctors at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), where he was rushed for emergency care.
His mother, Emma Sturman, recalled the terrifying moment and how an ordinary household task turned into a nightmare. “Stacking the dishwasher is something so mundane that most people don’t think twice about it, but it goes to show how even the smallest actions can have a huge impact,” she shared.
10-year-old narrowly escapes paralysis after falling on steak knife while making grilled cheese. pic.twitter.com/ZbDdLSzZ3D
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 20, 2025
Medical experts at PCH responded immediately, with neurosurgeons and orthopedic specialists carefully removing the knife and working to stabilize the young boy’s condition. Despite the severity of his injury, Landen made an incredible recovery and has since returned to school.
Now, Emma Sturman is using her family’s harrowing experience to spread awareness about kitchen safety, particularly regarding the placement of knives in dishwashers. “If we can prevent even one other family from going through what we did, that would mean the world to us,” she stated, as reported by Perth Now.
The medical team at PCH played a vital role in Landen’s recovery. Carrick Robinson, CEO of the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, praised the hospital staff for their outstanding care and applauded the young boy’s resilience.
“It’s wonderful to see Landen doing so well after going through such a traumatic accident thanks to the world-class care he received at PCH,” Robinson said, according to the outlet.
During his stay at the hospital, Landen took part in the Artist in Residence program, which provides young patients with creative workshops and interactive experiences. The program aims to give children a therapeutic outlet to help them cope with anxiety and emotional distress.
Surprisingly, Landen discovered a newfound passion for puppetry, which brought him joy during his recovery.
“Despite Landen having a very tough few days at PCH, it’s also a positive to see him discover a new talent during his stay,” Robinson remarked. “Creative workshops, like those provided through the Artist in Residence program, not only provide kids like Landen with a much-needed distraction, they also help to boost mental health, ease anxiety, and build social connections.”
For the Sturman family, what began as a traumatic experience became one filled with gratitude and unexpected opportunities.
Emma expressed her deep appreciation for the hospital staff, who supported them throughout Landen’s recovery journey. “The overall experience we had throughout Landen’s hospital stay turned a traumatic experience into something positive,” she said.
As Landen continues his recovery and settles back into everyday life, his story serves as a powerful reminder that even the most routine activities can sometimes have unforeseen consequences.
