In August of 2020, then 11-year-old Logan got pinned between a vehicle and a wall in a terrible garage accident. His injuries were extensive: both legs were severely damaged, with multiple fractures to his femur, tibia and fibula. He also suffered a ruptured spleen and required emergency treatment.
He was transported to UC Davis Medical Center, where he underwent a series of surgeries over the course of two months. Because of Covid restrictions, only one parent could be with him at a time. His mother and father, Scott, rotated every few days to ensure someone was always by his side.
“Seeing your young son in the hospital was pretty overwhelming,” said Scott. “We tried to stay positive throughout the process.”
As Logan stabilized, the next phase of recovery began. He was transferred to Shriners Children's Northern California for inpatient rehabilitation, where he would spend a month relearning many of the skills that had once been second nature.
When Logan arrived at Shriners Children's, standing up was no longer a simple task.
Working with physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists, he began the difficult process of rebuilding strength and independence. Every day brought new challenges, from basic mobility exercises to the long-term goal of walking again.
Jeremy Yee, PT, DPT, PCS, CNS, and the rehabilitation team guided him through the process, encouraging him to keep going even when progress felt slow.
“My therapists were very helpful and encouraging, no matter what I did,” Logan said. “They pushed me to do the best I could.”
For Logan, some of the most meaningful milestones were also the simplest. One of the moments he remembers most clearly was taking his first bath after the accident. He also remembers riding bikes during therapy sessions and being surrounded by people who genuinely wanted him to succeed.
The environment itself felt different from any hospital he had experienced before.
Born with tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition, Logan had spent time in hospitals as an infant. While his parents remembered receiving excellent care, the atmosphere felt clinical and intimidating.
Shriners Children's offered something else entirely.
The colorful hallways, games, artwork and child-focused spaces made it easier to focus on being a kid, even during a challenging recovery.
“It was warm, welcoming, colorful, and there were so many things to do,” said Scott. “That made it a fun and inviting environment.”
It was warm, welcoming, colorful, and there were so many things to do. That made it a fun and inviting environment.
Although Logan made remarkable progress during rehabilitation, his journey was far from over.
Over the following year, his care team continued exploring options to save one of his injured feet, which was twisted in an odd direction. His rehabilitation team worked to improve function, and the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team designed a supportive brace in hopes of avoiding more invasive treatment.
Ultimately, however, the damage proved too severe. When Brian Haus, M.D., explained that amputation offered the best opportunity for mobility and long-term success, the news was devastating for Logan’s parents.
For Logan, the night before surgery brought a mix of fear, uncertainty and acceptance.
Eliana Clair, CCLS, helped ease some of his anxiety before surgery using Buzzy Bee, a tool that uses vibration and cold to help relieve pain and lessen his fear of IV needles. As a result, he went into surgery with a calmer mind. That bee, he notes, was one of his highlights.
When the bandages finally came off, Logan began looking toward the future rather than dwelling on what had been lost.
The thought of receiving a prosthetic foot and returning to the activities he enjoyed excited him.
That next chapter began with prosthetist Eric Smith, CP, who has continued caring for Logan through years of adjustments, fittings and replacement prosthetics.
Instead of viewing his prosthesis as a reminder of his injury, Logan embraced it as a reflection of his personality. His first design featured black and green graphics. Another was covered in colorful handprints created by his friends. His current prosthesis showcases a custom tribal design created with help from a family friend.
The process allowed him to take ownership of something that initially felt uncertain.
Scott credits Eric with making each step exciting rather than intimidating.
Today, Logan continues to return to Shriners Children's for prosthetic care, working alongside a team that has supported him for years.
Now a senior in high school, Logan's life looks very different from what it did during those difficult months following the accident.
He enjoys golfing, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and driving his 1999 silver Chevrolet Silverado. He also competed on his school's swim team for two years and continues to enjoy being in the water.
Perhaps most significantly, the accident helped shape his future goals.
Logan remains close with several of the firefighters who responded the day he was injured. Their support and encouragement left a lasting impression, inspiring him to pursue a career of his own in public service. He recently enrolled in a fire cadet program and hopes to complete fire academy training in the fall.
He wants to become a firefighter for a simple reason: He wants to help people.
Today, Logan is focused on the road ahead, confident in his abilities and eager to serve others, just as so many people served him.
