Stories of Inspiration

A Rehab Miracle at Weisman Children's Rehabilitation Hospital

“Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital is a heavenly place,” says Yesenia Robinson. “Everyone at Weisman truly believed that they could help my son recuperate and that is exactly what happened.” Yesenia is mother to Deric, who at fifteen years of age was involved in a serious motor vehicle crash that resulted in severe brain injury as well as numerous orthopedic fractures and other injuries. He was an unrestrained passenger ejected from the vehicle. Initially, in the trauma center, there was little hope for survival. Due to his neurological impairment, his prognosis for a meaningful recovery was very poor.

Upon admission to Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, he couldn’t walk, or talk, speak, and he needed assistance with all of his personal care. Deric was minimally responsive. He had a tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube. Weisman’s pediatric experts provided Deric with medical and social support as well as physical, occupational, speech, dysphagia and recreational therapies. He had to relearn everything he knew how to do before - things as simple as brushing his teeth and putting on his clothes. Deric and his mother worked tirelessly with the Weisman team and he began to meet every goal that was set for him. He progressed from responding to visual stimulation, smells and movement, to getting out of bed and transferring himself to his wheelchair, to standing, to taking steps and walking with assistance.

“The entire team at Weisman, including nurses, nursing assistants, therapists and doctors, continually pushed my son to reach his maximum potential. If you saw my son after the accident and then saw him now, you wouldn’t believe it!” said Yesenia.

In fact, Kim Catania, PT, DPT, Deric’s physical therapist at Weisman, received quite a pleasant shock while she was out on maternity leave. After she had her baby, she received a call. When she answered the phone she heard a deep voice, one she had never heard before, say hello. When he told her it was Deric, she cried some of the happiest tears she had ever shed. Deric was talking.

Once Deric no longer required inpatient hospitalization at Weisman, he transitioned into Weisman’s Day Hospital Program where he continued to receive intensive therapies and his progress continued. What makes this story even more remarkable is the tenacity of Deric’s mother. She never gave up. Yesenia was able to integrate the skills she learned at Weisman into Deric’s daily activity at home and he continued to recover to the point where he is now. Deric has returned to school, and Yesenia says that he is almost back to where he was before the accident. To many Deric’s recovery was a miracle. To the team at Weisman it reaffirmed what can happen with hard work and determination.