Grateful Patient Bryce Patrick

     Grateful Patient Bryce Patrick

     Bryce Patrick, a 10 year old boy known for his great hugs, contagious smile, and amazing spirit has come a long way.  Children's Specialized Hospital has been a very special place for Bryce.  Receiving therapy for a developmental disorder as an outpatient; it was a surprise to all when he began treatment for a traumatic brain injury.

     On November 25, 2011, Bryce was struck by a speeding SUV on the wrong side of the road.  His skull and limbs were crushed after being pulled 60 feet.  Bryce remained in a coma for a week and suffered many skull fractures.  The skull fractures lead to a traumatic brain injury causing seizures, bleeding and swelling as well as damage to his neck and spine.  Due to the trauma, if Bryce woke up from the coma, doctors thought that he would never be able to walk again.  Bryce surprised everyone when his legs moved and he woke up an hour after his horrific fate was delivered.

      "It was heart breaking watching Bryce on the hospital bed knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do for my little boy but wait," sai8d Krissy Weekes, Bryce's mother.  "When I was positive that I saw his little legs move, it felt like I witnessed the greatest miracle of all."

     After two weeks, Bryce was relocated to the Children's Specialized Hospital outpatient brain injury program in Mountainside.  When Bryce first started he was working on basic skills like recognizing the alphabet and numbers.  Bryce received one-on-one therapy at home, and just a week later he was walking again.  Bryce kept exceeding everyone's expectations with his tremendous progress in outpatient therapy.

     In 2013, Bryce became Children's Miracle Network Hospital's New Jersey champion.  Bryce stood out as a stellar candidate.  Not only did he have an incredible story to tell, but it was an inspiration to watch him progress through his recovery.  Bryce had a long road but it was clear with his high spirit and motivation, nothing would stand in his way.

     "We could always see that Bryce was a sweet boy with a beautiful smile.  His supportive family would be fun and easy to work with," said Nicole Fulmino, Children's Miracle Network Hospital's program director.  "He became a clear choice as our next Children's Miracle Network Hospital's champion." 

     As Children's Miracle Network champion, Bryce attended different events like the Costco bake sale, IHOP's free Pancake Day, Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day, the lighting of the Empire State Building in New York City.  He is a smiling, warm hearted little boy who shares his story while representing all of the kids from Children's Specialized Hospital and from Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

     Bryce and his family went to Disney World and Washington, DC along with all of the other states' Children Miracle Network Hospital's champions.  This trip gave the children, and their families, the chance to join each other for an amazing and once in a lifetime experience.  The champions had all gone through different yet similar experiences and this trip gave them a chance to bond with each other and become a part of something special.

     Bryce attended Children's Specialized Hospital five days a week for school and therapy in the outpatient brain injury program.  His progress has been remarkable.  Now Bryce can stand in front of a large group, show-off his dance moves, talk, and tell his story.

     "At first, Bryce had such a difficult time reading in front of everyone.  Now he has made a difference for all the other kids here at Children's Specialized Hospital," said Fulmino.

     Samantha Golden, Bryce's speech therapist, discusses Bryce's goals as well as the progress that he has made.

     "In speech therapy, Bryce has worked extensively on understanding and expressing both oral and written language.  Bryce has made improvements in his ability to express himself and understand his peers.  He utilizes compensatory techniques independently, such as 'pause and plan', so he can identify and resolve common problems or obstacles.  He has made substantial progress with all targeted goals, and we are confident he will continue to grow to be the best form of himself.  We will miss him greatly here in the cognitive rehabilitation program."

     Three years after the accident, January 23, 2014 was a very special day for Bryce and his family.  Bryce graduated form the Children's Specialized Hospital outpatient brain injury program.  This meant Bryce was ready to go back to school and officially take another step forward in his rehabilitation,  Friends, doctors, therapists and additional Children's Specialized Hospital staff joined Bryce and his family for the graduation.

  Throughout Bryce's recovery his mother and step-father have been very supportive.  They have watched Bryce grow, and have learned a lot from him in the process.

     "Bryce has always been a fighter and pushes himself.  Children's Specialized Hospital has helped Bryce with that," said Bryce's step-father, Amon Weekes.  "Every day at work when I do not want to keep going anymore I think of Bryce and what he would do in the situation and I decide to keep going."

     Therapy has helped Bryce come a lot further then I ever imagined thanks to Children's Specialized Hospital.  I am completely amazed to look at Bryce and see where is now.  He has worked so hard and he does not give up.  I see his excitement to start at his new school.  I'm thankful for Children's Specialized Hospital for getting him to this point, being the stepping stone that he needed and helping other kids his age.  I am so grateful."
                          Krissy Weekes (Bryce's mother)

     Bryce is a hero to other children, as well as his siblings, mother and step-father.  Children's Specialized Hospital is excited to learn about the next big steps in Bryce's life as he continues on his next journey.

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     If you want to learn more about the Children's Specialized Hospital please contact them at 150 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, NJ 07092, or @ www.childrens-specialized.org. To learn more about Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation visit them at www.childrens-specialized.org/giving, or email them @ foundation@childrens-specialized.org, or call them @ 908-301-5561.


     God has done a lot for me and I am very appreciative and thankful, and am willing to praise HIM all the day long!!!