When three-year-old Janova Washington arrived at Nexus Children’s Hospital, she was still reeling from a devastating car accident. The car had flipped three times, leaving her with a fractured skull, facial fractures, a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, and post-traumatic seizures. She underwent a five-and-a-half-hour brain surgery and spent weeks heavily sedated. When she awoke, she faced the task of starting over — relearning how to walk, talk, and eat.
“She was such a happy, playful baby before the accident,” recalled her caregiver, Shanqueta Hart. “When she got to Nexus, she was starting all over again. But little by little, she came back to herself — her sass, her smile, her spirit.”
At Nexus Children’s Hospital, Janova’s care combined acute medical management with intensive rehabilitation tailored to her injuries and age. Speech therapy helped her progress from being unable to eat at all to safely managing a modified diet with thickened liquids, always positioned upright to prevent aspiration. This careful, steady progress gave her back one of the most basic and most meaningful parts of childhood: the ability to sit with family and enjoy meals together.
Her physical and occupational therapy were just as critical. Therapists addressed her foot drop and cervical spine injury, introduced splinting and strengthening exercises for her right hand, and guided her toward greater independence each day. She wore a cervical collar for six weeks before being safely cleared and discharged. And because she was so young, the team ensured her progress would continue beyond the hospital by referring her to an Early Childhood Intervention program — giving her the best possible foundation for ongoing development at home.
Throughout her stay, Shanqueta was a steady presence, learning how to manage Janova’s medications, feeding strategies, and therapy exercises.
“They prepared me for everything,” she said. “From car seat safety to daily therapies, I knew what to do when we left.”
John Sims, Director of Case Management, explained why that level of preparation is essential.
“At Nexus, we don’t just discharge kids. We mandate training to make sure families feel confident. The transition has to be smooth for children to thrive long after they leave.”
The staff’s compassion left a lasting mark.
“They kept me informed every step of the way. They even came to her birthday party,” said Shanqueta. “They took her under their wings and made her feel loved and comfortable.”
That sense of community carried through to her discharge celebration, where the entire team gathered at the front doors (a Nexus tradition) to cheer her success.
By the time she left Nexus in June, Janova was walking, running, and playing again. While she still experiences weakness in her right arm, she has made what her caregiver calls “a whole 360.” Her memories are returning, her laughter has returned, and her future is brighter.
