The Ellmer family was an American archetype: a young couple with two small children: a 2-year-old son and a 17-month-old daughter. Dad worked as a police officer, Mom stayed home with the children. They lived in a nice home in a quiet neighborhood. Mom remembers the day their world changed:
“May 21, 1995, started like any other day. After breakfast, I got the children ready to go. When we walked out, my son saw that our next door neighbors were outside so he ran over to play. With Melissa in my arms, I walked over to say hello. At some point I heard someone screaming that my car was rolling down the driveway. I set Melissa down, ran to the car’s open window, put my arm in and pulled the brake. The car stopped rolling. Now someone was screaming, ‘The baby, the baby!’ Melissa had followed me and tripped at the end of the driveway. Her head was pinned under the front wheel of the car. I had to move the car off my daughter’s head and then wait for the rescue squad.
“At the trauma center, we were told the grim news; my 17-month-old baby had a fractured skull and a bleed in her brain. The doctors immediately put her on medication to induce a coma. The doctors told us they would have to operate to relieve the pressure in her brain. The six-hour surgery was a great success and all looked good ... for two hours. Then the doctors said that Melissa had developed Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a hardening of the lungs. She had less than a 10 percent chance to survive and was put on a special ventilator.
“As days passed, her lungs started to clear up. By the sixth day, her lungs were looking much better, but she was still in a coma even though they had stopped the coma-inducing medication four days earlier. The doctors believed Melissa was brain dead. While they started the tests to declare her brain dead, my husband and I signed her organs over for donation.
“On Memorial Day the tests results came in and the doctors told us she was not brain dead. She emerged from her coma that day. Shortly thereafter, Melissa was moved to Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. When Melissa arrived at the children’s hospital she could not move one muscle in her body; she could not hold her head up, swallow or smile, but Melissa’s team never gave up. With intense rehabilitation therapy for traumatic brain injury, today Melissa is a happy, healthy 14-year-old. Although she walks with a limp and her left arm is weak, Melissa has no limit to what she can achieve; because no one at Children’s Specialized Hospital ever gave her one.
“Children’s Specialized Hospital helped us overcome a parent’s worst nightmare. Miracles happen and we thank God a miracle happened for us. Please continue to support children’s hospitals so more miracles will happen.”
Melissa,
We are so very proud of you!! Your story is an inspiration for other children and gives them hope. Thank you for sharing your story and advocating so that others may receive good healthcare coverage and be afforded the same opportunity.
Posted by: Donna Provenzano | 05/04/2009 at 09:22 AM
Melissa is a miracle ... inside and out! I am so very proud of you, Melissa! You were, and always will be, one of my VERY special 3rd grade students. You will always hold a place in my heart. YOU GO GIRL! YOU ARE AWESOME!!! LOVE, Mrs. J. Doyle :)
Posted by: Jolie Doyle | 05/04/2009 at 08:25 PM
Thank you, Melissa, for being the voice for all the children who need special care. I pray your story is heard loud and clear in Washington
Posted by: Michele Tomaino | 05/04/2009 at 09:58 PM
Melissa, this link was sent to me by your Aunt Nancy who I grew up with and have not seen since I was 14. You are an inspiration and I will follow your efforts to make a change in Washington DC. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Julie McGovern | 05/04/2009 at 11:29 PM
Hi Melissa,
I am so happy to know that you are doing so well. You are a beautiful young lady and I wish you all the best. Thank you for being our voice at Capitol Hill for the children's health care reform.
I have seen many miracles at Children's Specialized Hospital through the years and am proud to be a part of the Children's Specialized Hospital staff.
Posted by: Pam Radel | 05/13/2009 at 08:32 AM
Good luck Melissa, We all want you to know that we support you in this very important endeavor and in whatever you do. We know that you are one of the many amazing stories that can be told from inside the walls of Children's Specialized and out. We appreciate your courage and perseverence.
Posted by: Kevin Sullivan | 05/13/2009 at 02:21 PM
Melissa, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. You should be so proud of all that you've accomplished after all the challenges you've had to overcome. With such drive and determination you are definitely the person to advocate for children with special needs. You are a beacon of light to help ensure that all children are provided with the necessary healthcare services they need in order to become all that they can be. Good luck in Washington!
Nancy K.
Posted by: Nancy Kazanecki | 05/27/2009 at 02:17 PM
Hi Melissa...although we have never met, I feel that I know you so well, through your mom (who is an incredible person and my good friend). We are all so proud of you, and what you are doing. You are truly a beauitiful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you in all your endeavors. You an inspiration to so many! Best of luck...
"Auntie Jo" (from your Mom's class)
Posted by: Josephine Fyfe | 06/09/2009 at 09:38 PM
Hi Melissa,
I am so excited for you and your Mom. I can't wait to hear about all of the exciting things that you do and all of the people that you meet. It has been great to be able to follow you through this journey. Thank you again for being the voice of our kids!
Posted by: Lori Velasco | 06/11/2009 at 12:27 PM
Hi Melissa, Sounds like you are having quite an adventure! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Lori Velasco | 06/19/2009 at 09:58 AM