On September 19, 2022, Kevin Nicosia, a hard-working father of four, was enjoying a motorcycle ride just 1 mile from his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when he suddenly crashed. As he was airlifted to the local hospital, Kevin was only able to recall his wife’s name, Annette, and her phone number.
Kevin suffered multiple skull fractures and a severe injury to the right side of his brain. He underwent an emergency craniotomy and fell into a coma for several weeks. His traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulted in left-sided weakness that confined him to a wheelchair, speech difficulties, and cognitive deficits. Kevin was then transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Louisiana, where he started physical therapy.
“He didn’t recognize me or our children. He just wasn’t Kevin,” she said.
Kevin returned to the hospital to get treatment for posttraumatic hydrocephalus, a build-up of excess spinal fluid in the brain that may occur after a TBI. After months in the hospital, Annette began searching for a post-acute rehabilitation program outside of their hometown.
hospital, Annette began searching for a post-acute rehabilitation program outside of their hometown.
On March 1, 2023, Kevin was admitted to the Centre for Neuro Skills residential in-patient program in Houston, Texas – five hours away from their home. Despite the distance, Annette was inspired by CNS’ integrated clinical and residential model that reflected Kevin’s work life. She moved to a family member’s house near the clinic, where Kevin would reside 24/7.
“It was a huge leap of faith for me. As time went on, I recognized that Kevin needed to do things independently,” said Annette.
When Kevin first arrived at CNS, he was nonverbal, had little mobility, and lacked motivation. Emily Lewis, Kevin’s Health Fitness Therapist, recalls that Kevin was resistant to food and therapy initially. But Kevin has made incredible strides in his recovery journey. Through daily physical and occupational therapy, Kevin graduated from needing a wheelchair to using a walker and now walks independently. He also participated in money management courses through education therapy.
To prepare patients for a meaningful future, community reintegration activities help ease the transition back home. Kevin enjoyed weekend outings to the grocery store and church. Emily discovered Kevin’s love for fishing and organized a Father’s Day fishing trip for CNS patients. Kevin was able to stand up, cast the pole and catch a fish for the first time since his injury.
“Kevin’s personality has returned. He’s funny and talks to everyone at the clinic, especially about how much he loves his wife,” Emily said.
In November 2023, Kevin and Annette returned to their home in Baton Rouge. Kevin has established a new daily routine that involves cooking, mowing the lawn, and walking the dogs. Annette has also found a new sense of normalcy comfortably leaving Kevin home alone as she runs errands. They look forward to spending the holidays together with their children and grandchildren.
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