Nigel Charlson has been in a wheelchair unable to feel his lower extremities since December 18, 2015.
That’s when the 15-year-old swimmer at Blue Valley High School hit his head at the bottom of the pool during practice, suffering neck and spinal cord injuries.
He then immediately spent three months going through intense therapy at a hospital in Denver.
At the end of March, he returned home for a few days before transferring to another rehab facility. After landing in Louisville, Kentucky, Nigel and his mother almost immediately hit a setback.
“Day four, Nigel had to be admitted to the local children's hospital for two and half weeks because he developed a UTI and pneumonia," said Nigel's mother Jessica Broocke.
One of those weeks was in the I.C.U.
A typical day now starts with an hour and a half of occupational therapy.
"Immediately after that, he does an hour and half of physical therapy," said Broocke. "He spends most of that time on a lokomat or locomotor where it's a treadmill and there's a therapist that works each leg - one that stands and supports him and the other one that controls the machine so they create the walking motion."
Nigel's upper body is seeing plenty of progress.
“My arms are getting stronger. I'm getting more work with my back and my abs,” said Charlson.
He maintains a positive attitude and has a goal to be walking again in the near future.
Related story: Overland Park teen paralyzed in swimming accident returns home
Nigel does have at least 50 more days of therapy in Kentucky, so unfortunately, they won't be in town for a benefit dinner at Le Fou Frog in River Market. That’s where Jessica used to work but has since had to give up any full time employment to take care of her son.
While they have been able to get their hands on an ADA accessible van, the next step is to sell their Overland Park house and move back to the metro, this time to an accessible apartment. They hope to be settled back in the metro by fall before school starts.
Plenty of expenses are not covered by insurance.
Jessica’s “other family” at Le Fou Frog is hosting “A Night Out for Nigel” on Monday, May 9, 2016, at 6 p.m. The five course wine dinner is $95 per person.
“Nigel and Jessica are part of our family, as Jessica was a server and part of the Frog family. We want them to know that we are here for them and give them the support they need at this difficult time,” said Barbara Rafael, owner of Le Fou Frog.
Donations are welcome along with auction items for the benefit that will support Nigel.
If you would like to make reservations, please call Le Fou Frog at 816-474-6060. Le Fou Frog is located at 400 East 5th Street in the Historic City Market.
A trust fund has also been set up in Nigel Charlson’s name at Country Club Bank.
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