Family, Friends Welcome Home Boy Who Suffered Brain Hemorrhage On Vacation
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A little boy who suffered a life-threatening brain hemorrhage while on vacation in Puerto Rico is back home in Pittsburgh.
And his family and friends are rallying around him, celebrating his recovery and raising much needed funds for his health care.
Nakaii Phillips, 5, was born with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. On June 29, he suffered a stroke. He and his mother, Shaquala, had just landed in Puerto Rico to celebrate their shared birthday.
"They [doctors] did scans. When the doctor came out of the room, I could read her face. I knew something was wrong," said Phillips.
The physician told her Nakaii had a brain bleed. To stop the bleeding, they had to perform emergency surgery.
"I didn't know what to do. I'm in another country with no family. My son is under the knife. My mind was everywhere. Only thing that kept me grounded was my support from home," she said.
Her employer, Gallagher Home Health Care, and the Pittsburgh non-profit Jamie's Dream Team, provided that support and financial assistance.
Nakaii was hospitalized for two weeks. When he was discharged, he had to stay in a hotel on the island for two more weeks to recover and learn to walk again.
"My son was like a miracle," said Phillips, holding back tears.
She made sure her son enjoyed his last few days in San Juan before returning home to Pittsburgh's North Side. Relatives and friends organized a celebration and fundraiser for the Nakaii at Jack Stack Park in Brighton Heights.
"Our whole time in the hotel, he would wake up and say 'Mommy, you're my hero,' and just to hear him say that was enough for me," Phillips said.
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