Sixteen years ago, just a month shy of her 14th birthday, Kelsey Fukuda’s life changed forever. She was struck by a car, resulting in a traumatic brain injury so severe that she lost a significant portion of her brain. Initially, she was paralyzed, blind, and unable to speak—a devastating moment for her and her family.
“She slowly started to see again,” recalls her mother, Maggie Fukuda. “We didn’t know if she’d ever talk or walk again.”
Kelsey’s initial care began at another local area hospital, where she spent nearly seven weeks before being transferred to the Rehabilitation Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. There, under the guidance of Kimberly BeDell, M.D., medical director of Pediatric Rehabilitation, a dedicated team of specialists worked closely with Kelsey and her family to begin the long journey toward recovery.
“She lost a very large portion of her brain, but she’s doing pretty good today, she can even argue with her mom,” Dr. BeDell jokes, highlighting Kelsey’s incredible progress.
Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation
At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Kelsey received comprehensive care, including physical, occupational, speech-language, and recreational therapies. The Rehabilitation Center offers extensive services for children, providing developmentally and culturally appropriate evaluations and treatments for patients from birth to 21 years of age. The expert team includes board-certified pediatric physiatrists, nurses, social workers, neuropsychologists and therapists specializing in various therapies. Utilizing the latest technology and research initiatives, the team ensures that patients have access to advanced treatment plans and rehabilitation therapies.
From the beginning, her family was struck not just by the quality of care but by the compassion and patience shown by the entire team.
“I just remember that everyone was really kind and welcoming,” says Maggie. “They were so patient with Kelsey, even when she wasn’t cooperating. I never saw anyone get upset or frustrated with her.”
Rebuilding Communication and Daily Skills
Kelsey worked extensively with speech-language pathologist Becky Cote to improve her communication and feeding skills, both of which were impacted by her brain injury.
Speech therapy plays a vital role in pediatric rehabilitation, helping children regain or improve skills such as speaking, understanding language, eating, and swallowing. These therapies are especially important after neurological trauma, supporting a child’s ability to communicate and connect with the world around them.
“She had difficulty with her expressive language and had to relearn how to eat,” recalls Becky Cote, speech-language pathologist, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Despite the challenges, she radiated happiness and worked hard, even when frustrated. She always kept trying until she got the exercises right.”
Along with speech-language therapy, Kelsey worked closely with physical and occupational therapists to rebuild the foundation of her daily life. Physical therapy helped her regain strength, balance, and coordination which are critical components of her ability to move independently after such a severe injury. At the same time, occupational therapy focused on restoring the small but essential tasks of daily living, like brushing her teeth, getting dressed, and using her hands to play.
“These therapies weren’t just exercises,” says Maggie. “They were the building blocks of her independence. Every little step forward was a victory.”
Moments That Made a Difference
As Kelsey’s recovery progressed, the care team at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital began to feel more like family. Maggie vividly recalls the moments that made all the difference—like when Kelsey was isolated in her room due to an infection and feeling overwhelmed. Sensing her distress, Dr. Lisa Fasnacht-Hill, a pediatric neuropsychologist, Jennifer Candelaria, a social worker, and Remy Dietz, a child life specialist, stepped in to lift her spirits.
“They stayed a long time, playing drums, singing, dancing,” says Maggie. “It was like nothing else mattered but her. That really meant a lot.”
The Power of Play in Healing
At Miller Children’s & Women’s, care teams understand that play is the work of a child. It’s how they communicate, process emotions, and heal. That’s why the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program plays a vital role in patient care. Child life specialists like Remy use medical play, education, and emotional support to meet children where they are, helping them feel safe and empowered during their hospital journey.
“Helping lift Kelsey’s spirits during such a difficult time was something I’ll never forget,” says Remy Dietz, child life specialist, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Seeing her again years later, it reminds you why this work matters.”
The bond between Kelsey’s family and the team remained strong over the years. When Maggie found out Dr. Fasnacht-Hill, along with multiple members of Kelsey’s previous care team, would be at a recent reunion event, she was moved to tears.
“When she told me, I just started crying,” Maggie says. “It’s nice to know they still remember you, even after all this time. That’s important.”
A Gift of Gratitude
Though Kelsey has transitioned to adult care at Long Beach Medical Center, Maggie still reflects on the warmth and personal touch at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
“At Miller Children’s, it felt like everyone was doing more than a job—it felt like a favor from the heart,” says Maggie.
In memory of her husband and in honor of the care her daughter received, Maggie recently made a donation to Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
“I wanted to donate somewhere and have it mean something,” says Maggie. “My mind kept coming back here. I thought this was a nice way of giving back a little of what they gave to her.”
Kelsey, now 31, continues to embrace life with a positive spirit. She enjoys washing cars and makes everyone around her laugh, a far cry from the girl who once lay paralyzed in a hospital bed. Her story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the profound impact of dedicated medical professionals and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
“You have to have a lot of patience,” says Maggie. “You can’t rush healing, all you can do is be there for your child.”
A Legacy of Care That Lasts a Lifetime
Today, Kelsey continues to see some of her original care team members, including neurologist Ramin Javahery, M.D., for annual check-ups—a reminder that the bonds formed inside the hospital walls can last a lifetime.
Kelsey’s journey is emblematic of the enduring legacy at Miller Children’s & Women’s. Rooted in a history that began with bold ideas in the 1960s and the establishment of a hospital where families are not just visitors but partners in healing, Kelsey’s recovery reflects decades of patient- and family-centered care. Just as the hospital once transformed how pediatric care was delivered in Long Beach, it continues to redefine what compassionate, community-driven care can look like.
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