It was a typical day at recess for fourth-grader Ethan Fox. But while playing a football game with his friends on May 29, 2012, an accident on the field landed him in an ambulance. Neurosurgeon Dr. Bradley Weprin says Ethan could have died had he reached the Children’s Level 1 Trauma Center 10 minutes later than he did. Here, a pictorial look at Ethan’s journey through recovery.
During an impromptu touch-football game at school in Dallas, Ethan’s head struck his best friend’s knee. Ethan dropped to the ground unconscious. Jason Fox, Ethan’s dad, received a call from the school where Ethan’s teacher stayed by his side after calling 911.
Jason watches over his sleepy son two days after surgery. Ethan’s skull split like an eggshell from the collision’s impact. A ruptured artery compressed the brain onto the brainstem. “In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, his eyes rolled back into his head and I knew he wasn’t there. It was tough. I was desperately trying to get him to respond,” Jason said.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Bradley Weprin talks to Ethan and his dad, while Christina Harrington (left), RN, CPNP-PC/AC, advanced nurse practitioner, looks on. “Ethan’s story is a wonderful example of the community (school and paramedics), emergency department, trauma team and our service working quickly and collaboratively to treat a child in need,” Christina said.
Dr. Weprin tests Ethan’s ability to follow commands, which was right on target after surgery. “It’s hard to digest that you’re not going to know if your son will be able to speak or even recognize you. When Ethan opened his eyes after surgery, I knew he was all there,” says Jason.
Physical therapist Amber McCreary helps Ethan sit up in bed. Paramedics passed several hospitals on the way to Children’s, knowing that he needed a Level 1 Trauma Center. Ethan was in surgery within 20 minutes of arrival. “Only 10 more minutes and Ethan would not have survived the ride to the hospital,” says Dr. Weprin.
An amazing feat – Ethan walks only two days after surgery.
Ethan heads down the hall to work on balance and stability exercises.
Who says you can’t have fun during physical therapy? Ethan throws a beach ball to his dad in the hallway.
After posing for a quick picture, Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive back Morris Claiborne and Ethan compare injuries.
Another Dallas Cowboys rookie player brightens Ethan’s day by signing his football.
Dr. Weprin checks Ethan’s scar at a follow-up appointment three weeks after surgery.
Ethan wants to know the steps of his surgery, so Dr. Weprin shows him on a skull. “Was my brain pink or grey? Was it disgusting?” Ethan asked. Dr. Weprin said his brain is manila-colored and operating on the brain is not gross to him.
Ethan is back to throwing the football with his dad for the first time since his surgery.
- Slide 14
- Slide 14
Jason lets Ethan rub his newly shaved head. After the accident, Jason shaved half of his head to match Ethan’s. “I had to shave the other half before I went back to work.”
Nothing stops this 10-year-old. Today Ethan is back to normal as an active fifth grader.
