Louis Wood

The first thing you notice when you meet Louis is the sparkle in his eyes and the friendliness of his smile. It is really hard to believe the tragedy this young man has experienced.

On September 5th, 2015, Louis, who was 15 at the time, was in a car accident so serious he was life-flighted to Nationwide Children’s.  The first few days were very frightening for his family. While the situation looked hopeless, staff and family members never lost hope. The team at Nationwide Children’s worked tirelessly to give Louis the best chance at life that they could while his parents, sister, grandparents and friends stayed by his side offering him encouragement.

In time, the question about whether or not Louis would survive evolved to how well he would recover. Ever so slowly, over the course of the few months he remained at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Louis began to make progress. Finally, on December 16, 2015, he was discharged home.

The Trauma Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the largest pediatric American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. Our program is supported by a wide-range of pediatric surgical sub-specialists including  orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesia, and pediatric trauma surgery. Our patients also benefit from outstanding support services which includes our state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities.  Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit provides comprehensive, family-centered, rehabilitative services to meet the physical, developmental, social, psychological, and educational needs of our patients and families.

Louis has continued working on his rehabilitation and healing. He has made more progress in the last six months than his doctors predicted he would make over the next two years.  He can walk with a walker and is completely aware of everything that is going on around him.  Louis still has a long road ahead of him. While he is unable to speak, he can answer questions by pointing to words and give you the “thumbs up” sign.  And he can laugh, loves to give hugs, and he smiles constantly.

Louis loves music and wants to be a soccer player. And he is super excited about the marathon.  Last year, Louis’ mom, an avid runner, watched the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon from the hospital windows and read the stories of the Patient Champions.  This year, Louis’ family will be in the middle of it, sharing their hope, faith, and encouragement with the marathon participants as they pass through his mile. It will be a little over one year and one month after Louis’ accident and he looks forward to celebrating his progress and healing with the marathon participants.

http://nchflutter.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Louis1000.jpeg

The first thing you notice when you meet Louis is the sparkle in his eyes and the friendliness of his smile. It is really hard to believe the tragedy this young man has experienced.

On September 5th, 2015, Louis, who was 15 at the time, was in a car accident so serious he was life-flighted to Nationwide Children’s.  The first few days were very frightening for his family. While the situation looked hopeless, staff and family members never lost hope. The team at Nationwide Children’s worked tirelessly to give Louis the best chance at life that they could while his parents, sister, grandparents and friends stayed by his side offering him encouragement.

In time, the question about whether or not Louis would survive evolved to how well he would recover. Ever so slowly, over the course of the few months he remained at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Louis began to make progress. Finally, on December 16, 2015, he was discharged home.

The Trauma Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the largest pediatric American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. Our program is supported by a wide-range of pediatric surgical sub-specialists including  orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesia, and pediatric trauma surgery. Our patients also benefit from outstanding support services which includes our state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities.  Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit provides comprehensive, family-centered, rehabilitative services to meet the physical, developmental, social, psychological, and educational needs of our patients and families.

Louis has continued working on his rehabilitation and healing. He has made more progress in the last six months than his doctors predicted he would make over the next two years.  He can walk with a walker and is completely aware of everything that is going on around him.  Louis still has a long road ahead of him. While he is unable to speak, he can answer questions by pointing to words and give you the “thumbs up” sign.  And he can laugh, loves to give hugs, and he smiles constantly.

Louis loves music and wants to be a soccer player. And he is super excited about the marathon.  Last year, Louis’ mom, an avid runner, watched the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon from the hospital windows and read the stories of the Patient Champions.  This year, Louis’ family will be in the middle of it, sharing their hope, faith, and encouragement with the marathon participants as they pass through his mile. It will be a little over one year and one month after Louis’ accident and he looks forward to celebrating his progress and healing with the marathon participants.

Share Louis's Story

Comments

More Stories

  • Paxton B.

    Age: 11 Years | Congenital Heart Disease

  • Chloe .

    Congenital Melanocytic Nevus

  • Grant .

    Airway Reconstruction

  • Macey K.

    Age: 8 Years | Dextrocardia

  • Adoniya .

    Multiple Diagnosis

  • Aubriella W.

    Age: 10 Years | Sacrococcygeal teratoma