PALOS PARK, IL — A student-athlete from Palos South Middle School is being airlifted Monday from Miami to Lurie Children’s Hospital after being injured in a major accident during a family vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
On July 1, 12-year-old Joshua Vaisman was swimming away from a waterslide in a hotel pool when a large adult coming down the slide collided into him, sending him sinking unconscious to the bottom of the swimming pool.
Three hospitals and two airlifts later, all during Hurricane Beryl, the boy’s parents have been at the bedside of their injured son at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital PICU in the Miami area. Their friends have established a GoFundMe campaign, Joshua’s Journey to Recovery, to help his family with day-to-day living expenses, housing, food, transportation, to support Joshua in his recovery, organizers said.
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“Joshua, his mom, JoAnn, his dad, Ron, and his brother, Julian, all face a long journey towards recovery, but together, we can help lighten some of the burdens they are all currently facing,” writes Taylor Moen, who is organizing the GoFundMe campaign. “Thank you for your generosity and support to the Vaisman family and Joshua’s Journey.”
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As Joshua’s brain injuries come into view, he is showing progress, according to Moen, speaking on his parents’ behalf. Joshua is off a ventilator, breathing on his own, opening his eyes and is following directions. His right side is strong and doctors at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, who have been formulating his medical treatment plan, are hopeful that his left side will follow.
“The Vaisman family remains very hopeful that Joshua’s health will continue to improve each day,” Moen writes. “The Vaisman family extend their overwhelming gratitude for all of the prayers, well wishes, and support.”
Meanwhile, the Palos South Middle School student remains sedated in what doctors call a “healing rest” to reduce brain swelling. For the next 12 weeks Joshua will have to wear a neck brace as doctors determine the extent his brain was impacted, who is described as a “strong boy.”
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“[As] of now, does not need surgery,” his parents told Moen. “Doctors are saying that once Joshua is able to drink and eat, we will see more progress. We are hopeful.”
On Sunday, Ron and JoAnn learned that their son will be airlifted where he will continue his treatment at Lurie Children’s Hospital PICU pending weather conditions from Hurricane Beryl, now Tropical Storm Beryl.
“We truly believe in the power of everyone’s prayers. Please continue to keep Joshua in your prayers,” Moen wrote.
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