28-05-2025
Teen Spends 10 Months in the Hospital After Freak Tire Accident, Then Gets Escorted Home by Responders Who Saved Him
A 16-year-old boy, Brett Jedwabny, is finally home almost a year after he suffered a traumatic brain injury
The first responders who saved his life escorted him home in a fire truck
"Brett, we're wishing you continued healing and strength on the road ahead," the fire department said
After 10 months away, a 16-year-old boy was finally able to return to his home in Wisconsin after suffering a severe brain injury – with an escort from the emergency responders who helped save his life.
Last July, Brett Jedwabny was using a power washer to clean a cart at his family home in Appleton when the dangerous accident occurred, NBC affiliate WGBA, ABC affiliate WBAY and the Post Crescent reported. Unexpectedly, the tire shattered and debris flew into the teen's right eye and skull, according to WGBA.
He lost consciousness and had to have immediate medical attention. The teenager was first flown by helicopter to a hospital in Milwaukee, before going to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago and then transferring to the Ronald McDonald House, the outlet reported.
Almost a year later, Jedwabny was able to come back home. On Saturday, May 24, the teen and his family were finally able to meet the paramedics and first responders who saved his life, WBAY reported.
'That was probably the most emotional part of this, was seeing the people that were there, who gave everything that day, and were at their best,' the boy's father, Tyler Jedwabny, told the outlet. Brett, who now uses a wheelchair, was helped into a fire truck and escorted home, where a group of family and friends met him with cheers and hugs.
The Appleton Fire Department said it was thankful for the opportunity to meet Brett and his family.
'We're honored to have played a part in your story, and grateful to see you home,' the fire department said in a statement on Facebook. 'Brett, we're wishing you continued healing and strength on the road ahead.'
For Brett's loved ones, it was a moment they weren't sure would happen after the initial accident.
'Looking back to where we first went from those first text messages with my sister, I didn't think we'd ever get to be in this position,' Brett's aunt, Sara Parock, told WGBA of the emotional homecoming.
It's been a long recovery for the teen. Six months after the accident, Brett was just beginning to stand up and walk with less help from others. He was also better able to tackle full sentences, WBAY reported in January. To help offset the medical costs, friends organized a GoFundMe that has raised more than $100,000, far exceeding the original goal of $40,000.
The organizer and Brett's family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
'We as family, friends and community must hold Nicole, Tyler and Grant in our constant prayers and unbounding love to keep them strong for Brett,' the organizer wrote.
In May, Tyler got confirmation that his son was ready to return home when Brett was able to step out of the car – his first since the accident.
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'We've been working hard on the left leg. He started initiation a couple weeks ago, and then he did kind of a quarter step,' the proud dad told WBAY at the homecoming celebration. 'We get here today, and he takes one full step with his left leg, two full steps actually. Nicole and I both looked and were like, 'Guess we needed to be home.' '
Brett's cousin is grateful to have him back.
'Just to see him today and the improvements that he has made," Brent Radtke told WGBA, "The gains he's made is just an absolute blessing."
Read the original article on People
