Road to Recovery

In 2009, Lance was the Little Britches World Champion Jr. Bull Rider. The PBR even invited him to the national finals in Las Vegas to compete with other Little Britches champions. He played football for the Colome Cowboys and competed in mixed martial arts. But on the evening of June 18, 2011, Father's Day, everything changed. Sixteen-year-old Lance was involved in a one-vehicle rollover accident. There were four young people in the vehicle. Lance was ejected and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

After an ambulance arrived on the scene, Lance was taken to the Winner Regional Healthcare Center. When a MRI revealed bleeding in his brain, he was taken to Sanford Hospital. When Lance arrived at Sanford, he was unconscious and on a ventilator. He was in a coma for approximately 30 days and in intensive care for 40 days.

As of Monday, September 19, Lance is home! But not without some help. Lance worked with the Sanford Rehab Unit. Now he is able to ambulate independently and is on a regular diet. He participates in speech and occupational therapy. His goal is to get back into a classroom setting and catch up with classmates in his junior year of high school. Lance also had his family close by, at the Ronald McDonald House, to support and love him on this difficult and challenging road. His mom, dad, and sister believe their presence made a big difference in his recovery.

We met Lance's family the day he was brought to Sanford. They stayed with us for almost 90 days. They see the facility as a huge blessing—adding that they would not have been able to be with Lance during his hospitalization and recovery if it weren't for the house. Lance's mom, Trish, says, “You never know what life is going to present you. Three weeks before my son's accident, I had moved 200 miles to a new home and a new life. Those three weeks were very happy and exciting for me. Then you get a phone call no parent wants to get. Thank you Ronald McDonald House for all your kindness.”

It truly is our pleasure, and we couldn't be happier that Lance is home!

Thank you to Lance and his family for telling their story!