In June 2011, 10-year-old Gianni Johnson was running across the street to show his friends his cool new toy when every parent’s worst nightmare occurred; he was hit by a car. Johnson took a severe blow to the head and when his mother came to his side, he could barely move. By the time paramedics arrived, Gianni had gone unconscious. They rushed him to Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), where he was immediately given medication to relieve his pain.
CNMC physicians discovered blood on Gianni’s brain which meant he needed to relearn how to walk, talk and eat. Once Gianni was stable, he was transferred to the National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation (NCCR), a joint service of NRH and CNMC. Despite physicians telling Gianni’s mother, Laveinna Johnson, that he may never be the same again, he went on to prove them wrong.
Gianni became very close with his nurses and therapists, who helped him through a rigorous physical therapy program. He was also given the opportunity to still be a kid, with access to a PlayStation, games and time to interact with other patients. “It was so cozy, you felt like you were at home,” explains Laveinna Johnson. When the time came for him to be discharged, he had made a full recovery.
People now can’t believe that he had a traumatic brain injury because his recovery is so remarkable. His mother praises NRH, saying that the relentless support is what contributed most to her son’s recovery, along with the ongoing support of his family, friends and school. Gianni’s mom says, “It was a great experience. We met them through something so tragic and it ended up being something so great!”
-By Amber Pandya
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