High School Athlete Overcomes Enormous Odds 

“Others threw their hands up but not the people at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.  They’ve given us so much hope,” says Leigh Green.

Leigh’s 14-year-old son, Phoenix, was a normal, healthy kid who loved sports.  He was at basketball practice when he collapsed and hit his head on the floor.  At the hospital, doctors found he had a massive stroke and because of the trauma to his head, he needed immediate surgery to reduce the swelling.

“He was on life support for two weeks, a trach, a ventilator, a feeding tube.  He was paralyzed on his left side.  It wasn’t looking good but true to how he’s been through this whole ordeal, Phoenix never gave up.”

After nearly a month in ICU, Phoenix couldn’t even hold up his head.  He was transferred to DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM), but his stay would be short.  Phoenix developed a rare condition where his brain shifted positions.  He had to have another surgery to stabilize things.  Ten days later, he returned to RIM.

“DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is awesome.  I’m its biggest promoter.  For nine weeks, I barely left.  They let me sleep right next to him.  He was so bad, he couldn’t even smile but they made it happen.”

Phoenix left RIM using a quad cane, but now he gets around with no assistance.  He helps around the house, cares for himself and is doing 9th grade Algebra and English. 

“My son is a miracle because of RIM. From the first day, they supported and encouraged him and Phoenix worked right with them never saying can’t.”

Leigh says she doesn’t take anything for granted anymore.  She knows that God has a special plan for Phoenix and she’s just amazed at her son and the blessings they’ve received.