John Causland's family calls him 'the Christmas Miracle', not because he was born on the holiday, but because he woke up from a month-long coma after being severely injured in a hit and run accident in Waltham. The seventeen year-old was walking to work early on Sunday morning after Thanksgiving when he was struck by a drunk driver. John was crossing the street in a crosswalk. He spent days struggling for his life, then was in a coma for weeks. His family and friends surrounded him, constantly talking to him and letting him know that they were there for him.
He was transferred to Spaulding on December 18th for intensive TBI rehabilitation. When he arrived at Spaulding, he was in a semi-conscious state, and able to follow simple commands but not consistently. Then on Christmas Eve, John woke up to the delight of his family and friends.
Once he was awake, John was able to participate in physical, occupational and speech therapies. As he gained strength, he could tolerate more time with the therapists, even though it was physically exhausting. His therapists, Beth Szcerbinski (PT), Emily Carrey (OT), Margaret McCabe (SLP) and Sandra Villante (CTRS) learned to work around his pain and restlessness by introducing activities that would distract him from his discomfort. He would perform better with new activities that engaged him, and took his mind off the hard work involved.
The team also incorporated cognitive therapy into the physical activities, even sending him on Scavenger Hunts around the hospital when he was able to ambulate. One intervention that was very effective was a community outing to the new Harry Potter exhibit, which challenged John physically, cognitively and emotionally. He knew after he made that trip that he was getting the skills back to return home again.
And John did get back home again, walking out of Spaulding on February 18th to return home to Waltham. John's physician, Dr. Heechin Chae stated, "the number one reason he did so well was that there were enough undamaged brain cells." That, and his attitude, determination and hard work.
John states, "I almost died three times, and I am alive now. I didn't want to die. I was fighting for my life, pretty much. The doctors here are amazing and so are the therapists," he said. "I just grit my teeth and made the best of it. I know I had to work hard to get back home again."
The Causland family wants to thank Spaulding, but also all of the friends, the community, and even strangers who offered support and prayers.
"We'll be paying these people back for eternity. The biggest gift we can give is to return John to what he was, and we're working on that," his father said.
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