Hear Taylor's story,
as featured on KS95 For Kids.
At first, Monica expected the best. "I got a call from our babysitter that she and the kids had been in an accident," she remembers. "She thought they maybe got a scratch on the face or a broken rib." When she arrived at the hospital, however, her optimism quickly gave way to fear as she realized the extent of their injuries. "I thought, 'I'm not in the right room.' And then I lost it."
Head-On Collision
Weick's children-Taylor, 9, and Nathan, 7-were riding home from school when they experienced a head-on collision. It quickly became clear that Taylor and Nathan needed urgent care. An ambulance took them to Regions Hospital, which partners with Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare to provide Minnesota's first Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.
When Monica and her husband Tony arrived in Gillette's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), they were taken aback by the extent of their kids' injuries. Both children experienced internal bleeding, bowel injuries and broken bones. Nathan sustained a significant gash on his forehead.
"We Were Right by Their Sides"
Weick says that comfort came from knowing that her children-and her whole family-could rely on Gillette's caring staff. "The nurses not only helped my kids, but they helped me, too," she says. "I was the one who was crying, and they supported me."
The Weicks say they also appreciated being able to stay by their children's sides after the accident. Gillette's new PICU includes space for parents or loved ones to stay overnight in a child's room. "It was so important to be near them, and Gillette made it possible."
An Amazing Birthday Gift
During their first night in the hospital, the Weicks worried for their children's lives. By the second day, however, doctors explained that with surgery, expert medical care and rehabilitation therapy, the children would make strong recoveries. Weick says she couldn't imagine a better gift on that day-her birthday.
In the weeks following the accident, Gillette's team worked to control the kids' pain and encouraged them to regain their strength. Through all of the setbacks and steps forward, the Weicks say that Gillette brought comfort. "I can't ever show how much gratitude I feel toward the doctors and nurses and therapists," Weick says. "They are amazing."
"They Saved My Kids' Lives"
More than six months since the accident, Nathan and Taylor continue to improve. Although they still face challenges, the Weicks say they feel immense gratitude for how far their children have come. "Gillette saved my kids' lives," she says. "I am honestly happier and more grateful than I have ever been in my life."
