Brayden

Brayden's Story

Brayden is a quiet leader at school, known for his humility despite being a strong athlete. In his Freshman football season, he scored seven touchdowns, but he finds it difficult to accept sportsmanship awards, always crediting his team for his success. Beyond sports, he leads a club called Snowball, promoting anti-drug, anti-alcohol, and anti-bullying initiatives. Additionally, Brayden is on the student council, and the captain of both his basketball and football teams. Recently, he received the Junior High All-Star Athlete award. Coaches describe him as a “150% kind of kid.”

On February 15, 2024, Brayden, his sister, and her friend were on their way to school when their vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by another vehicle. Despite being on the opposite side of the impact, Brayden sustained severe injuries and lost consciousness, as did his sister. He was airlifted to Cardinal Glennon, while his mom rode with his sister in the ambulance. Some staff doubted Brayden’s chances, but the chaplain remained hopeful, inspired by the family’s faith.

Brayden spent 42 days in the ICU, intubated for 33 of those days. On March 28, he was transferred to Ranken Jordan for rehabilitation, where his mother, Elaine, felt relief knowing he would receive the best care close to home. Upon arrival at Ranken Jordan, Brayden could only move his right thumb slightly, lift his left arm up and down on his chest, and bend his right knee. However, within four weeks, he was walking and dribbling a basketball.

“Brayden was just like a whole new kid immediately that first 24 hours that we were at Ranken Jordan.” Elaine reflects.

Brayden’s recovery journey was challenging. He battled two collapsed lungs, pneumonia, multiple staph infections, and respiratory distress. Elaine never left his side, using sports terminology to encourage him. “I would tell him, ‘This is your line, you’re going to put your helmet on and you have to push. You got to keep going for that end zone, and Ranken Jordan is your end zone. The doctors are your guys; they are protecting you. You have to keep fighting.'”

Support from donors has allowed Ranken Jordan to create an environment that focuses on extending medical care beyond just medical requirements and ensures patients thrive and reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives.

This supportive environment was exactly what Brayden and his family needed. Elaine appreciated not being confined to his room, which helped her, as a mother, mentally. Brayden’s initial emotional shock at seeing himself in the mirror was redirected by the therapists, who celebrated every small achievement with him. This approach was embraced by his parents, who saw each minor victory as a significant milestone.

Encouragement from Brayden’s friends and coaches, who often attended his therapy sessions, provided additional motivation. “At Ranken Jordan if people are visiting Brayden, it has been so amazing that they have been able to go to physical therapy with him. That motivated him too. His coaches came to several therapy sessions.”

His lifelong passion for basketball played a crucial role in his recovery; once he got the basketball back in his hands, he turned into a completely new person. Ranken Jordan’s generous donors funded orthotics that helped Brayden regain his ability to walk, contributing significantly to his progress.

“We knew once we got to a point that he felt like he could excel where it would all click, and he would be off and that’s what he did.” Says Elaine.
When transitioning to outpatient therapy, Brayden and Elaine were initially anxious about meeting new therapists. However, a visit to the outpatient therapy gym reassured them. Elaine was confident in the therapists’ abilities and knew Brayden would thrive under their care.

Brayden’s journey at Ranken Jordan has been transformative. His recovery has been not just physical but emotional, allowing his true personality to shine through.

“At Ranken Jordan, he’s been healed from the inside out,” Elaine observed. “His happiness and spirit are visible to everyone now.” Through the support of his family, friends, and the dedicated team at Ranken Jordan, Brayden’s story is one of incredible resilience and unyielding hope.