By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
He’s part of a growing population of Americans suffering from and living with a traumatic brain injury. Nineteen-year-old John Francisco is working his way toward recovery after a gruesome auto accident just two months ago.
“When I saw him he was just not moving, tubes all over him. Johnny wasn’t there he was bad,” said mother Emelia Francisco.
But in that short time, he’s made significant progress, working with occupational and physical therapists every day at JFK Rehabilitation Institute in Edison.
“John was not able to speak at all. At all. John was not able to eat at all. They got him to eat here. They got him to speak here, they got him to walk. John was not able to do anything,” Emelia said.
“The problems that people face after TBI, whether it be mild like we see in concussion or very severe like we see in Johnny’s case, the needs of those people are very unique to get them the best care. And there’s no doubt getting the best care will get them the best outcome,” said Dr. Brian Greenwald.
And that’s why Dr. Greenwald, the medical director for head injuries at JFK, says the American Board of Medical Specialties finally decided that brain injury needs its own division.
“The real advantage is for the people who suffer brain injuries to be able to know who to go in the field of physical medicine and rehab for the consolidation of the care that people need,” Dr. Greenwald said.
Out of the first 300 doctors certified nationwide, five — including Dr. Greenwald — are at JFK. And he was tapped to help write the exam for the brain injury sub-specialty.
“It’s very important to push them, especially not to give up. Because our goal is to send him back to college and to be independent,” Emelia said.
When asked how he stays so positive, John said, “I just think positive all the time, that’s it.”
Mastering basic cognitive and physical skills is now John’s full-time job, with mom and that specialized team of doctors at his side. He’s got plans to return to college and eventually walk at his graduation.