Eric: Making a Healing Connection

During an ATV race, Eric, 18, performed a triple jump that he had used in competition many times before, including a state event he had won a few years prior. This time, however, the jump failed and Eric was severely injured.

He was rushed to a short-term acute care hospital where the medical staff gave him only a two percent chance of survival due to the gravity of his injuries. Eric had broken his ribs and clavicle, as well as sustained damage to his liver and spleen. Due to excessive bleeding, the hospital physician had no alternative but to clamp his aorta before he was airlifted to a hospital specializing in trauma. He spent several weeks there and endured six surgeries. He received a total of 57 units of blood, was on a ventilator and was placed into a drug-induced coma.

Eric was admitted to Kindred Hospital Sycamore with multiple tubes in his body helping him to function and on a ventilator. He was unable to eat, walk or go about daily activities. He was determined though, as were his parents, who when faced with words of an unpromising recovery would say, “You don’t know my son.”

The staff at Kindred was also determined, and shortly after Eric’s admission they were able to wean him off the ventilator. Soon after, he was able to eat solid foods and talk for the first time since the accident.

Getting Eric active again was a huge priority. Within three days of admission to Kindred, the Peoplefirst Rehabilitation staff had Eric begin the process of walking. He attributes much of his recovery to the push that the rehabilitation staff gave him, and eventually he was walking and active again. Eric was discharged just a few weeks later to continue his recovery.  

Thanks in large part to the specialized care he received at Kindred, Eric was able to graduate on time with his classmates, with the hopes of someday becoming a police officer and serving his community.

Eric’s experience was life changing. Following his discharge, he would come back to visit the staff at Kindred. In his opinion, Kindred played an integral role in his recovery – whether it was the compassionate treatment from the medical staff, or the camaraderie of watching a football game, Eric and his family are forever grateful for the care he received.

This is an example of a patient success story from Kindred Hospital Sycamore. At Kindred Hospitals, dedicated healthcare professionals are creating positive patient outcomes every day. Kindred operates five hospitals in Illinois with a sixth scheduled to open in late 2010. For more information about Kindred Hospitals, click here  .