An article about Bryce Patrick

                                7/26/14    


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 f 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

     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.