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The Amazing Feat of Kevin Pearce Kevin Pearce, the rival of Shaun White, was training one December day. He was practicing on a half-pipe and was working on performing a “cab double cork” for the Olympics. It is a twisting double back flip that he had been trying to nail for months. But he had to much power going into the trick. His snow board slipped, and he fell, smashing his head on the half-pipe. Even though he was wearing a helmet, he was knocked unconscious.

Kevin was immediately taken to the hospital. He was still unconscious while doctors worked feverishly to save his life. They put a tube in his throat so he could breath. They shaved off his famously shaggy hair. And they drilled holes in his skull to drain the fluids and relieve pressure on his brain.

Your brain is a very important part of your body. It controls everything from the beating of your heart, to your ability to read these words right now. A lot of people get serious head injuries every year, about 50,000 die of them. Lots of the accidents that damage the brain are from cars, motorcycles, and bikes. Thousands more get less severe injuries known as concussions. But really major injuries like Kevin’s are usually fatal. Those who do live can have lifelong disabilities.

While Kevin was in a coma, his parents, Pia and Simon, stayed by his side. His brother Andrew postponed his wedding so he could be with him. Many people, fans and family, shed tears, sent cards, and left messages on his Facebook page. Which soon listed 50,000 friends. On the sixth day Kevin finally began to stir. He squeezed his father’s hand and said “Mom”. As he had more brain surgeries the doctors became confident that he’d live, and he did.

He did some physical therapy that helped him regain his balance and reflexes. His balance was so bad that if he looked left or right while standing up, he would crumple to the floor. His vision was a blur. He got glasses that corrected his vision. And, even though it was often painful, he did get through the therapy. His memory started to improve too. But he was spooked by the fact that he couldn’t remember anything from the weeks before or just before the accident.

Scientists can never really predict how a person will recover from a brain injury. But Kevin exceeded the doctors expectations. Why did he improve so quickly? He had received high quality care and he was in top physical shape before the accident. His positive attitude was also key. But to Kevin, His secret weapon was his family, who remained with him “24\7”.

One year after the accident, Kevin is living with his family in Vermont. His memory and reflexes are still improving. But if you saw him, you would never guess that he had suffered a nearly-fatal injury. You would see a healthy young man with funky glasses, a warm smile, and a quick wit. And what about snowboarding? Well, Kevin has vowed to return to snowboarding. Perhaps not the cab double cork again, but snowboarding will be a part of his life. No matter what.



That's Kevin there in the middle. Source: Scholastic Storyworks magazine Images: Google