LIANA PATTERSON

You Never Think It Will Be Your Kid

SSitting with LiAna Patterson, her mom, Debbie, and dad, Rob — who happens to be Medical Director of The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart — you would never know LiAna suffered a traumatic automobile accident less than a year ago.

LiAna is bright and confident, with a cool maturity beyond her years. A graduate of Pensacola High School’s International Baccalaureate program, she is set to attend the University of Florida’s Honors Program in the fall on a full National Merit Scholarship.

After the accident, her parents weren’t sure they would ever see her walk across that stage — let alone open her eyes, talk or laugh again. (She’s got a great laugh.)

LiAna was unconscious upon impact. In the ambulance, she could not speak or respond to any stimulation. She was in the deepest recorded level of coma, with pupils fixed and dilated.

The EMS provider phoned Dr. Patterson and said the words he never thought he would hear: “I think I’m with your daughter.”

As Medical Director, Dr. Patterson always tells his staff, “We care for every child as if they are our own.” The PICU and Pediatric ER personally train everyone, even the EMS teams, for this reason.

“We’re training the community to care for our children,” Dr. Patterson said. “You don’t get that if you don’t have a Children’s Hospital.”

This time, it was his own child.

LiAna couldn’t remember her name or birthday. She called her parents by their names, Robert Patterson and Debbie Cook. She came in on anti-seizure medication, with a fractured clavicle and wrist, lacerated spleen and broken pelvis.

She was a Level One Trauma Alert — and Sacred Heart is the only pediatric trauma center in the region.

Once in the ER, LiAna had the full benefit of the hospital, with a trauma-trained ER doctor, trauma surgeon, neurosurgeon, and Dr. Jason Foland, the Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“You learn how hard it is to comprehend everything all at once while your heart is breaking. It’s like entering a whole new world with an entirely different language,” said her mother, Debbie. “But she had everything she needed right here.”

The team knew to stabilize her physical injuries while addressing the brain trauma, because of the risk of internal bleeding. They also knew she would recover faster if she could move — so she underwent surgery to repair the fractured bone the very next day.

LiAna’s most critical brain injury was a left temporal contusion with intracranial hemorrhage and areas of ischemia throughout — but, amazingly, no skull fractures.

“She’s hard-headed,” Debbie joked. “Takes after her father.”

The family relied on humor to get through the experience.

They also relied on the extremely specialized team at Sacred Heart. LiAna had access to numerous pediatric specialists: pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapists from the start, as well as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, a pediatric

neurologist, pediatric intensivists and a child life specialist.

She spent two weeks at Sacred Heart before she was transported by ambulance from Pensacola to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite — to their inpatient rehabilitation program.

“I have a greater appreciation for life now,” LiAna said. “Hearing my dad talk about it, so many things could have gone wrong in the process. I’m really grateful they didn’t.” Since the accident, LiAna has undergone months of therapy. She’s had to learn everything again — from walking and eating to “This is why we put in the long hours and hard work. Because someday, this could be our kid. We want this for our kid. I always calling her parents Mom and Dad. “It was so good to hear her meant it … but I didn’t know how much.” call me Mom,” Debbie said. “It was like she had to grow up all over again. She was dependent — DR. ROB PATTERSON, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE STUDER FAMILY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SACRED HEART AND LIANA’S FATHER on us for everything. She had no memory, and she couldn’t move on her own. As she became you,” LiAna said. “My mentality was, ‘It is what it is.’ ” more aware, I would ask her, ‘How old are you today? Are Her parents attribute their daughter’s success to her you 10 yet?’ ” indomitable will, extreme athleticism, high intellect — and the

Still, their trademark humor keeps them going. good fortune of access to the ‘best of the best’ care.

“It’s every parent’s nightmare. It’s scary to let your kids go “LiAna has very little memory of her experience, but Rob and to let them drive solo in a car,” Debbie said. “You have to and I will never forget the heartfelt care and compassion have faith that it will be OK. Accidents happen. Your whole life from everyone we encountered during LiAna’s recovery. We takes a little detour.” couldn’t have made it through this experience without the love

Today, LiAna is physically fine, but her memory will take and support of the entire Children’s Hospital team and our longer to regain. The former captain of the volleyball team, community of friends and family,” said Debbie. she was always very active. The accident took its toll, especially “It’s medically unexplainable — a miracle even,” Dr. Patterson when it came time to prepare for graduation. said. “God has plans for her. I can’t explain why she has done as

LiAna persevered, returning to the rigorous IB program and well as she has when so many kids have not.” earning all As and her IB diploma. She also joined her brother, “This is why we put in the long hours and hard work.” Logan, at the University of Florida in the fall of 2018. Dr. Patterson said. “Because someday, this could be our kid. We

“My advice to other kids who go through something like want this for our kid. I always meant it … but I didn’t know this is to do what they tell you, because they’re trying to help how much.”