When Nikolas came to Weisman Children’s inpatient hospital at the end of April in 2018, he had a feeding tube, significant cognitive deficits, he was non-verbal, and had a trach tube to help with his breathing. He was dependent for all abilities, and was unable to walk. His mother Laura, a Physical Therapist Assistant with over 20 years’ experience working in a pediatric setting herself, was preparing for the worst. “I was mentally preparing to
have my home be wheelchair accessible and fully anticipating Nikolas to have this new totally different life.” When Nikolas first arrived at Weisman Children’s, based on his condition it was believed that he would need at 12-16 weeks of inpatient therapy. However, Nikolas exceeded those expectations, being discharged in just four weeks, something Laura credits to the team at Weisman Children’s.
“The care he received at Weisman Children’s was something special. The team went above and beyond for Nikolas, I never felt like he wasn’t active and working toward recovery. They encouraged him to participate in everything he could to stimulate his brain to help him recover. The staff made sure he went on field trips, golf outings, and other engagements at the hospital. It was remarkable.”
While Weisman Children currently employs 26 staff members who are Certified Brain Injury Specialists, Laura thought it was more than just their clinical expertise that made the difference for her son. Laura expressed that the family like setting that Weisman Children’s provided had an overall positive impact that helped with Nikolas’s recovery. “From the moment he got to Weisman Children’s I felt at peace, like we were at home, working with family members who cared as much about Nikolas as I did.
The therapy team was able to put me at ease, to the point where when I had to leave at night I was not worried, I knew he was in great hands.” Laura explains that anytime she could not be at the hospital, she received frequent updates on Nikolas’s progress, usually with much excitement from the team. “Everyone really cared about the progress he was making, you just do not get that everywhere. I really feel it played a major role in his recovery.”
The caring staff, consistent rehabilitation therapy, and constant activity that Nikolas received at Weisman Children’s had a profound impact on him. “This sounds weird,
but I was sad to leave on my last day. I really enjoyed working with the Weisman Children’s therapy team. I consider them all a friend now. They did not treat me like I was a patient or that I was disabled. That made it a much more comfortable experience.” Nikolas goes on to explain that they team made all his sessions feel like they were playing games with him and that it did not feel like therapy at all. “I am confident that nowhere else would have given me the comfort and care that I had with all the therapist. Weisman Children’s gave me the best opportunity for me to recover and was the best place for me to be.”
Prior to his accident, Nikolas had no intention to work in the healthcare field, like his mother, but that all changed after his experience at Weisman Children’s. “When I came home from rehab, I wanted to help people the way I was helped. So I decided that I want to go to nursing school and become a nurse. I am currently a patient care tech at a hospital and I love my job so much.” He currently works on the same floor and with the same team for the hospital which he was a trauma patient prior to coming to Weisman Children’s. This experience has encouraged Nikolas to apply to nursing school in September 2020, something his mother is very proud of. “Seeing how far he has come and how motivated he is has been completely heartwarming. Every day I am very thankful for all the help and support he received to get to where he is today. I can’t wait to continue to watch him grow and help others the way he was helped.”