Mercy Occupational Therapy Student Treats Child with Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura McSpedon, occupational therapy student at Mercy College, was featured in the local news for treating a 5-year-old boy with traumatic brain injury.

Joseph Federico of New Windsor recently graduated from the Intensive Upper Extremity Summer Program at Blythedale Children’s Hospital after undergoing intensive care for a brain aneurysm he had at age three. While doctors saved his life, he was left paralyzed on his left side and without 40 percent of his skull after numerous surgeries. McSpedon aided Federico’s rehabilitation at Blythedale by increasing his bodily function and strength.

Federico is set to begin kindergarten this fall at Mt. Pleasant Blythedale School, New York’s only public school at a hospital. He can walk, talk and eat on his own, due in part to McSpedon, and is excited to return to activities like playing baseball.

Read more about McSpedon’s work at Blythedale Children’s Hospital by clicking here.