Kyle came to Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital early into the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. At a time when visitor access was limited, the first step in Kyle’s recovery was allowing his mother to sleepover in the hospital with him during his stay. The ability to have frequent visitation time in the hospital and watch their son’s recovery in person was an unexpected and welcomed benefit to the family. Due to this, a great relationship formed between the Weisman Children’s staff with both Kyle and his parents, which all contributed to Kyle’s turn around. “They made us feel like family. The nurses, the aids, the therapists, the doctors, everyone made sure we were happy and were able to be with Kyle as much as we wanted,” explained Lori. “They were there for us every step of the way. It is scary seeing your child in that situation and the team would always explain everything to me and to help reassure I understood how exactly they were helping Kyle. Overtime, we all got so close that Kyle’s personality really came out and he was able to joke around with all of the staff. That relationship with the staff really helped him get through the whole process.”
Another major factor in Kyle’s recovery was his determination and positive attitude about his recovery, something that goes a long way when coming back from injuries as devastating as the ones Kyle suffered, and not something that comes easily to many patients. “What I recognized most about Kyle was his determination. Even if he was exhausted, which is something that is hard to fight through when you are recovering from an injury like his, he was always focused and ready to move right into whatever we had planned for him that day,” said Amanda Palombo, one of Kyle’s physical therapist during his stay in Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.
A particular instance where Amanda saw his willpower and determination on full display happened early on in Kyle’s recovery when he first started walking again. “When he came to us in July, it took two of us just to get him to be able to sit at the edge of the bed. About one month into his stay, Ali Poporad, Kyle’s occupational therapist, suggested that we trial taking steps with Kyle using a hemi-walker, a special walker that can be controlled with one side of the body, since we couldn’t use a regular rolling walker with him due to his cervical and left arm injuries.” Amanda continued, “At the time, he was having trouble putting weight down through one of his feet due to his nerve pain. So Ali was at his feet and helping control the placement of the walker and I was up at this waist helping him shift and support his weight. In that session, he was able to take the most steps he had since the beginning of his stay. With that, he took off and within two weeks he no longer needed physical assistance to walk the hospital halls. Going from needing two people to help him sit up to being able to start walking independently again in less than two months was remarkable and goes to show how his hard work really paid off.”
With an event that could have derailed his entire life, Kyle has become a glowing example of how hard work, determination, and a positive attitude can help overcome any obstacle that life throws your way. Today, Kyle continues to work hard and has the same willpower and motivation as when he was with Weisman Children’s. He has new goals that really excite him and keep him moving forward, “I have started doing activities that are similar to driving again. I am excited by the idea of beginning to drive. I continue to make progress with my left arm, I can now bend it 90 degrees. I am hopeful that soon I will be able to get back to work and do all the things I love again.”