Edison’s Story: Cleared for Takeoff

On September 26, 2022, Edison Sinkler was involved in a life-changing accident that led him to receive treatment at Capper Foundation. Through his own determination, support from his family, and the help of our interdisciplinary team of pediatric therapists, Edison’s dream of becoming a pilot and engineer would not be grounded by the events of that day.

One evening while flying his remote-controlled airplane outdoors with his dad and sister, Edison was struck by a vehicle that no one saw coming nor did the driver see him in the roadway. After initial evaluation at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, he was airlifted to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City where he spent seven weeks rehabilitating from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other injuries including multiple broken bones. Once home, his journey to recovery continued with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy sessions at Capper.

Over the next six months, Edison worked hard in therapy and at home to regain skills he had lost as a result of his injuries including navigating stairs, jumping, tying his shoes among others. By the end of April 2023, we are happy to share that he was discharged from services at Capper and is doing tremendously well. “Thank you, a good solid thank you. I could have not been here anymore. Somebody up there was looking out for me,” remarked Edison.

While Edison’s story is somewhat unique for our organization, it serves as an important reminder that potentially debilitating events can happen to anyone at any time.
With your help, Capper Foundation will continue in its mission to provide essential pediatric therapy services and support to children of all ages and their families as they face unexpected challenges from an injury or disability.

WIBW-TV’s Melissa Brunner sat down with Edison and his family earlier this year as they shared their story of the life-changing event of September 26, 2022, and the journey that led Edison through treatment at Capper. Watch his inspiring story on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/iEzzXE6V7BY. This video premiered at our An Evening for a Child special event in May 2023.  

With your support, Capper Foundation is committed to providing pediatric therapy services to children of all ages and circumstances facing challenges from injury or disability.

To read the full newsletter in which this story was published, click here.