Meet Joshua

“Never give up.”

It’s what Crystal Allen inscribes on her book, Between Two Brothers, inspired by her own family’s journey of hurt, hope, and healing after her youngest son, Joshua, experienced a traumatic brain injury and stroke at age 8.

Suddenly, Joshua went from being an avid footballer and lead in his school play to a child who doctors said would never walk or talk again. It was devastating for Crystal and her family. But when physical therapists at his hospital in Texas saw signs of hope for Joshua’s recovery, the family devoted themselves to finding the best care for Joshua — wherever it took them.

While driving the confusing streets of Boston on a work trip in 2007, Joshua’s father found himself outside Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. “It was a wrong turn that turned out to be exactly right,” says Crystal. “When we researched Spaulding, we knew we had to bring Joshua there.”

That’s exactly what Spaulding aims to be for our patients — the exact right place for your recovery. Generous donors make this possible by helping us invest in leading-edge care, advanced technologies, and specialized programs to address the most complex patient needs. Support like yours makes all the difference for families like Joshua’s.

The following summer, Joshua came to Spaulding for intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Joshua’s physical therapist, Urvashi, was central to his progress. “Not only did Urvashi help Joshua get stronger, but she also taught me how to support him in his exercises,” says Crystal. “The love and dedication we felt from his entire clinical team was incredible.”

Urvashi recalls how hard Josh worked, energized by his mother’s love and will to never give up — a principle that resonates with Urvashi in her work with patients to this day.

Joshua also thrived during adaptive sports outings with his Spaulding team. “It wasn’t therapy to Joshua,” says Crystal. “It was, ‘I’m going to ride a bike today.’” Joshua has an enduring love for biking, years later.

From programs like adaptive sports that are clinically proven but not reimbursed by insurance; to dedicated housing to keep families close while their loved ones are in our care; to our special brand of comprehensive rehabilitation care — all these offerings are made possible by your donations.

Today at age 34, Joshua holds a job at a vocational community center near his family’s home outside Houston. He has a serious girlfriend, meaningful work, and above all, a sense of purpose. He still does his rehabilitation exercises daily, referring to poster boards with photos from his Spaulding therapy sessions.

And Crystal, an award-winning children’s book author, has channeled her gratitude into her new book — even partnering with local and online bookstores to enable readers to donate copies to organizations that supported Joshua’s recovery. Spaulding is the grateful recipient of many editions, which are being shared with patients and families on their own rehabilitation journeys.

Your own Spaulding story is unique. And you can make other recovery stories possible with your generous gift today. Thank you for helping our patients and families write their next chapter.