How Texas Children’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Helped Harper Walk, Talk and Thrive Again

In 2020, Harper was a lively 3-year-old running around her house like any other day. On this day though, she tripped on a rug and fell into a coffee table. Her parents, Jamie and Jon, were away, and Harper’s grandparents rushed her to urgent care. At first, doctors diagnosed her with a contusion and sent her home.

By the time they arrived home, Harper’s condition had worsened. She began vomiting and her grandparents saw blood coming from her ear. An ambulance took Harper to Texas Children’s Hospital, where scans revealed bleeding in her brain. She needed emergency surgery — a craniotomy — to relieve the pressure. Harper’s parents arrived as their daughter was in the operating room.

“It was all a blur,” Jamie said. “We didn’t know what to expect when she woke up.”

Starting intensive rehabilitation

Harper spent several days recovering in the ICU before moving to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) at Texas Children’s. The IRU specializes in helping children regain function after serious illnesses or injuries through intensive therapy and medical management.

“When Harper arrived, she couldn’t move her left arm or leg, couldn’t speak or swallow and needed a feeding tube,” said Christian Niedzwecki, DO, medical director of the IRU. “Our first goal was to manage her pain and sleep so she could participate in therapy.”

Therapy began almost immediately. Harper received physical, occupational and speech therapy several times a day. Jamie remembers being nervous when therapists first sat Harper up.

“She was so fragile, and I felt protective,” Jamie said. “But little by little, we saw progress. The first time she asked for her binkie, I knew she was coming back to us.”

Learning new skills together

The IRU team also taught Jamie how to safely care for Harper — from bathing to lifting her. 

“They didn’t just work with Harper,” Jamie said. “They worked with me so I could help her, too.”

After nearly 2 months in the hospital, Harper went home and continued outpatient therapy. Over the next year, slowly but surely, she regained her speech and mobility. Now, 5 years later, she’s made an incredible recovery, participating in cheer, ballet, tap and tumbling.

“Harper’s recovery is a testament to what intensive rehab can do,” said Dr. Niedzwecki. “Early, coordinated therapy helps improve recovery rates.”

Moving forward with hope

Harper still attends physical therapy and continues to thrive. Jamie credits her daughter’s determination — and the support of the IRU team — for how far she’s come.

“Harper taught me never to give up,” Jamie said. “Be kind. Be strong. Be thankful.”

Learn more about Texas Children’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.