KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tishawn Nelson, 8, got out of her second surgery just in time for Christmas.
“They actually put her plate in her head [last] Thursday,” Tishawn’s mom, Latisha Slayden, said. “She’s been doing good ever since we brought her home.”
Tishawn is the little girl who amazed doctors with her speedy recovery after a June shooting ended with a bullet lodged in her brain. Police said another child brought the gun to the playground behind Tishawn's apartment.
On Thursday, Tishawn received a surprise. A friend from the Boys and Girls Club organized the special day.
They teamed up with 13 Old Navy stores from Wichita to Independence to buy presents for Tishawn. They found everything on her wish list.
She got to open one gift, which was one of her favorites.
“I seen it on the TV at the hospital,” Tishawn said.
Tishawn uses mostly the right side of her body to do everyday activities, but continued therapy should help.
“Now we just got to work on her left side,” Slayden said.
The fact that Tishawn is here, talking and laughing, is a Christmas miracle.
“They also got another part of the bullet out, which is a blessing. They told me it eased its way on out. Before that, they said if she had surgery, if they operated on her, that it would kill her. But when I say God is good, honey, he’s good,” Slayden said, with tears starting to steam down her face.
Tishawn was happy with her toys, and the smile on her face is all her family wants to see.
“I’m about to go in my room and play with these!” Tishawn said.
Slayden predicts her daughter will be walking without using her wheelchair by February.
The family has a lot of medical bills and a long road ahead with rehab. They set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.
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