When 17-year-old Andy Sandoval arrived at Nexus Children’s Hospital in Shenandoah, he had been living in a hospital for nearly two years — mostly in bed. After an altercation at school led to a broken leg, he was placed in a New York facility unfamiliar with the complexities of Prader-Willi Syndrome. The result was devastating: significant weight gain, loss of muscle tone, and a rapid decline in mobility.
Andy became ventilator-dependent and received a tracheostomy. For nearly two years, he relied on the vent 24/7 and had not ambulated or stood since early 2022. By the time he arrived at Nexus, he required total assistance for nearly all daily tasks and transfers.
With a clear vision and relentless support from the interdisciplinary team at Nexus, Andy began the hard work of reclaiming his independence — starting with breathing on his own.
“When Andy came to us, he was barely moving his limbs and fully reliant on a tracheostomy tube and ventilator,” said PeiLi Wu, Director of Rehabilitation at Nexus Shenandoah. “We knew our goals were ambitious, but we also knew what he was capable of.”
Through structured therapy, respiratory support, and family education, Andy made remarkable progress. Just over a month after admission, Andy was successfully decannulated, nearly two years after his trach was first placed.
After transferring to the Nexus Jump Start Program two months later, Andy began rebuilding his strength. At admission, he required a mechanical lift and had no standing ability. But little by little, Andy regained function.
“Our rehab department worked miracles,” said June Finnerty, Jump Start Program Ambassador. “When he hit 20 steps, the team was in awe. By discharge, he was walking over 70 feet with a walker.”
Andy’s progress wasn’t just physical. He engaged in structured therapy, built relationships, and embraced new routines. He lost significant weight — ultimately dropping below 200 pounds — and developed a newfound independence in grooming, dressing, and hygiene tasks. Once reliant on others to brush his hair and bathe, Andy learned to care for himself, building confidence with every milestone.
“He left here proud of himself,” said Finnerty. “He learned to speak up for himself, to follow routines, and to take ownership of his health.”
Andy also met a long-held personal goal: riding in a police car. On his final day, he walked to a waiting patrol vehicle, climbed in independently, and took a victory lap around the block, cheered on by the team that never gave up on him.
Now back home in New York, Andy continues to thrive. He uses a CPAP at night, walks regularly, and sticks to the nutrition plan Nexus helped him master.
“He still eats the same way — small portions, lots of salads,” said his mother, Mirna Guevara. “He says, ‘I don’t want to go back to the same weight.’ He’s learned so much.”
Andy left Nexus standing tall — healthier, more independent, and full of pride. And while he misses his care team, he’s excited about the future.
“He’s very happy at home,” said Mirna. “And we’re so grateful to Nexus. They gave him his life back.”
