For many, the sight of a child riding a bike is commonplace. But for me, watching my 10-year-old son, Parker, pedal down the path is nothing short of a miracle. It’s a powerful reminder of just how far he has come.
Just fourteen months prior to this moment, Parker suffered a traumatic brain injury so severe that his surgeon was unsure if he would even survive. At that time, teaching him How To Ride A Bike again was the last thing on our minds. Our only hope was to hear him speak again.
Parker’s Story: Overcoming the Unthinkable
April 15, 2017, remains etched in my memory as the most challenging day of my life. An accident involving a Polaris Ranger, in which Parker was riding with his cousin, turned our world upside down. The vehicle tipped, trapping Parker underneath. He was immediately airlifted to the hospital and rushed into surgery. To relieve the pressure from his severely swollen brain, a portion of his skull had to be removed. He spent two and a half weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Vincent’s before being transferred to Cincinnati Children’s for their inpatient rehabilitation program, battling a severe traumatic brain injury.
The Road to Recovery and Rediscovering Simple Joys
Parker’s rehabilitation journey at Cincinnati Children’s lasted two and a half months. When he first arrived, he faced immense challenges. He couldn’t communicate, sit up without assistance, or even walk. A feeding tube was necessary to provide him with nourishment.
The human brain’s capacity to heal is truly astounding. About two months after the accident, we began to witness small glimmers of progress. He started with simple toddler puzzles, and then, miraculously, he began to walk again. Following a cranioplasty to repair his skull, his speech returned, and his recovery accelerated rapidly. A turning point came when he correctly set up a chessboard, signaling his cognitive abilities were returning.
Fourteen months later, we are filled with gratitude for Parker’s incredible progress. His memory is fully intact, and he’s thriving in school. While he still faces some challenges with processing speed, spatial awareness, and right-sided weakness, the strides he has made are remarkable.
Parker smiling in a hospital gown, illustrating his initial recovery journey after a traumatic brain injury.
Rediscovering the Bike: A Milestone of Healing
Before the accident, Parker had just learned how to ride a bike the previous summer and was eagerly anticipating a biking trip with his cousins. We hoped that relearning to ride would be another significant milestone in his ongoing recovery. Initially, using a traditional bike with training wheels in physical therapy yielded little success. This led us to the BeWell bike camp.
What to Expect at BeWell Bike Camp: A Supportive Environment
Parker was understandably apprehensive on his first day at BeWell bike camp, expressing his fear of falling and getting hurt. However, the camp’s environment is specifically designed to support children like Parker – those recovering from injuries, facing physical limitations, or at risk of a sedentary lifestyle.
Each day for 75 minutes, Parker practiced riding, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and specialized stability equipment. As his confidence and skills grew, a bike technician gradually reduced the bike’s stability. By the end of the week, he was riding independently!
Parker and his mother Melissa smiling, showcasing the support system during his recovery and bike riding journey.
Parker Rides Again: A Triumph of Perseverance
Witnessing Parker ride his bike on his own on the last day of camp was an overwhelming emotional experience. Excitement, disbelief, and awe washed over me. Just a year prior, he had been in a wheelchair. The progress he had made was astounding. Each milestone that brings him closer to normalcy feels like a monumental victory. His recovery journey has been long and arduous, but with unwavering determination and hard work, he continues to improve every day. It truly is a miracle.
Now, we are excited to celebrate this incredible achievement with that long-awaited biking trip with his cousins. Keep an eye out for us on the trail!
