Prior to a life-altering accident, Angel was an energetic 5-year-old determined to keep up with his siblings. Angel loved sports, taking risks, and keeping his mom eagerly anticipating his next move. While on a vacation-bound road trip, the family was in a car accident that resulted in Angel being ejected from the vehicle. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and had to have his skull reconstructed with the support of 10 titanium plates. Due to the severe swelling of the brain and numerous fractures, doctors told the family there was a 50% chance the child would ever walk again. Angel spent 4 months recovering in a hospital across the state.
Angel began receiving occupational, physical, and hippotherapy almost immediately at the center. Lost and uncertain, MCRC was a beacon of hope for his family. Speaking about their early days of therapy, Angel’s mom Anna said, “MCRC helped guide me as a mom with his daily care. I was anxious about his daily needs and his new future, but the therapists gave me peace.”
Watching him today, you might never realize the extent of his journey. Angel battled the significant loss of hand strength and struggles with visual perception. His therapists worked with Angel to re-learn tasks like self-care, independent dressing and even walking. Staff celebrated alongside him as he learned to put on his own shirt, secure buttons, and even tie his shoes. “These sessions provided us with hope that although different, he would live a normal life,” said Anna.
Angel’s mom Anna noted that she can still remember the day they began to see progress. Sitting in their living room, the five-year-old began to crawl towards mom. This monumental milestone, indicated that the journey to recovery was just beginning and that Angel, who was bound to a wheelchair was just getting started.
Throughout his 4 years at the center, Angel has taken his first independent steps, mastered self-care tasks, and graduated from both hippotherapy and occupational therapy. Today the 9-year-old walks independently, attends school in a traditional classroom setting, and recently celebrated making the honor-roll at his elementary. You can now find Angel running out of the center doors to keep up with his younger sister. “Therapy gave him the best gift. Not only did he learn to walk and care for himself, he also can keep up with his siblings, something that he missed because of the accident.” Angel is quicky meeting his therapeutic goals within the other disciplines and his graduation from the other two programs is soon approaching.
When asked, each of his therapists mentioned Angel’s sweet spirit. “He is always a bright spot in my day. Always willing to help and even in his journey, always taking the time to ask how I am,” said physical therapist Kathleen Sparks. It was this positive attitude and drive to succeed that provided avenues for a remarkable transformation.
“He is a walking miracle. I can’t wait to see all that he accomplishes in the future,” said Occupational Therapist Susan Byerly.