On July 19, 2018, Hayden and her brother, Braxton, survived a crash near Le Mars, Iowa, that claimed the life of their older sister, Daisy. Craig Pippett, the children’s father, rushed to the accident scene and found Hayden curled up in the back of the car. When first responders arrived, Craig explained his daughter wasn’t breathing normally. Hayden was life-flighted to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Following emergency surgery, Hayden spent nearly a month in the intensive care unit.
Colette Pippett, Hayden’s mother, created a Facebook page and a GoFundMe page, Healing Hayden, documenting her daughter’s journey. An army of friends, the community, and total strangers rallied around the young Iowan. The GoFundMe page raised over $30,000 and her Facebook page has almost 2,000 members.
When Hayden arrived at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals Lincoln Campus she couldn’t talk, eat or even open her mouth. “She needed help with pretty much everything,” said Sarah Economides, physical therapist. After six weeks of intensive therapy, Hayden is almost back on her feet.
Sarah introduced the Lokomat, robotic-assistive technology, to improve Hayden’s gait and posture. Shortly after starting the repetitive therapy, Hayden also began talking and eating again. Wearing her signature hairbow and beautiful smile, Hayden quickly earned the title “Queen of the Lokomat.”
Throughout Hayden’s recovery her parents offered support, but it was Braxton who encouraged his sister to work a little harder and a little faster. “Braxton was a huge motivator for her,” said Economides.
The close bond Hayden forged with her team propelled her to achieve every therapy goal. “They did amazing things with her. She’s almost walking by herself; she’s eating, and talking. All the things we once wondered what would come and what was gone forever…it’s looking like most everything is coming back,” Craig said.
Hayden returned home in time to celebrate Halloween and a party honoring her recovery. She rejoined her first grade class and continues to make gains in local outpatient therapy.
“I was excited to see how much progress she made at Madonna, but I’m excited to see where she goes in the future,” said Economides.