13-year-old Cole Phillips, of Sebring, is known for his love of the outdoors. While sleeping over at a friend’s house, he enjoyed fishing and camping out until a fateful go-cart crash landed him at the emergency department.
“The boys wrecked the go cart. Cole is hurt. The ambulance is on its way.” Brandi Phillips’ head was spinning after this 9 a.m. phone call about her 13-year-old-son, Cole. He slept over at a friend’s house the previous night, a typical summer activity for the teen. Brandi raced over to the house to find him lying in the yard beside the wrecked go cart that had clearly been crashed into a tree.
Cole was loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Akron Children’s emergency department (ED). After rounds of tests, X-rays and exams, Cole’s list of injuries grew lengthy: a fractured tibia, a small break in his hip, dislocated femur, and multiple scrapes and cuts needing stitches.
After surgery, Cole was placed in an immobilizer for weeks to let his injuries heal.
Within hours of his injuries being diagnosed, Cole went into surgery with Dr. Kerwyn Jones, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to set his bones and get him ready to heal. Within 4 days, Cole was home in a leg immobilizer with a wheelchair, walker and crutches to prepare to get back on his feet.
Both Cole and his physical therapist use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone safe during their sessions at our Beeghly campus.
Today, the teen is participating in physical therapy at our Beeghly campus. After being on bed rest for so long, Cole is ready to get moving. 
After weeks on bed rest with his leg immobilized, the goals of physical therapy include rebuilding muscle, regaining flexibility, and, of course, getting him mobile.While summer took a major detour, Cole is getting back to typical activities, including swimming, recently okayed by Dr. Jones. Cole and his family greatly appreciate the care he has received both during his hospital stay and after discharge, but the real hero is Cole for pushing through his injuries.
Much like when Cole goes fishing, he has his eyes on the prize in physical therapy. The outdoor enthusiast is ready to get back out into the wilderness.
Read more about how Akron Children’s Hospital is keeping patient families and staff safe during the pandemic here.
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