Ryley Hoffman is considered somewhat of a miracle. The 17-year-old found herself in the fight for her life back in October 2015 after being run over by a pickup truck as she watched planes near George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
“At first, I just felt something go over me but I wasn’t sure what was happening and then I realized it,” said Ryley Hoffman during an interview with ABC-13. “I don’t remember too much after that except for being scared.”
After being rushed to a nearby emergency room, Ryley was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital because of the severity of her injuries, which included a lacerated liver and kidney, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung.
Ryley spent 74 straight days at Texas Children’s enduring 10 surgeries, several stays in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and intense rehabilitation sessions. A total of 24 different services were involved in her care.
Now, Ryley is doing outpatient rehabilitation and continues to meet with the hospital’s trauma team for follow-up visits. She is expected to make a full recovery.
“Every single service here has touched Ryley in some way because of her injuries,” said Cassandra Mueller, one of several physician assistants who cared for the teenager. “Everyone – including Ryley – worked hard to make her recovery a success.”
Mueller’s colleague, physician assistant Brian Whitaker, agreed and called Ryley a fighter and an absolute joy to work with.
“Seeing how far Ryley has come justifies everything we do,” Whitaker said. “She could hardly walk when she came in here and now she’s moving around easily.”
Ryley’s mother, Robin Hoffman, said everyone involved in her daughter’s care was amazingly dedicated, attentive and professional.
“You can’t find the level of care she received anywhere except for Texas Children’s Hospital,” Hoffman said. “We became so accustomed to the hospital we feel it’s our home away from home.”
Surgeon-in-Chief Charles D. Fraser Jr. said Ryley’s situation is a perfect example of the multidisciplinary approach we take at Texas Children’s each and every day.
“Our team is committed to working together to treat the whole child, not just an injury or condition,” he said.
Watch the full ABC-13 interview with Ryley here.
Read a blog written by Ryley here.