Javan’s Story

Javan Fox was a typical 13-year-old boy who loved playing hockey, practicing the saxophone for the school band and spending time with friends and family. But his life took a drastic turn in August of 2018 when he was injured in a horrific accident.

One of Javan’s hobbies included riding his bicycle through the streets of his hometown. On this tragic day, Javan was riding his bike along the streets of Athol when a summer rainstorm struck. While Javan peddled to escape the storm the unthinkable occurred, as he was struck by a pickup truck.

Although wearing a helmet, Javan suffered a severe brain injury, facial fractures, ruptures to his vertebrae, and a broken wrist. He nearly died as a result of the crash. “The truck didn’t see him coming, and he didn’t see the truck,” said Javan’s mother, Devone Fox.

Javan came to Franciscan Children’s inpatient medical unit for a mix of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. “He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t talk. He couldn’t eat,” said Devone, when describing her son’s physical state upon arriving at Franciscan Children’s.

Javan worked closely with physical therapist Kaleigh Duggan to re-learn the skills that had once come with ease.

When Javan initially arrived at Franciscan Children’s he had difficulty following simple directions, staying alert and even sitting up. He could only move his legs minimally on his own and he required assistance to roll from side to side while lying down.

Over the course of his two-month stay, Kaleigh worked closely with Javan, sometimes up to three hours a day. She focused on building his strength and endurance.

His progress began by working on his ability to sit, move from his bed to a chair and stand with assistance.

“Javan was extremely hard-working and warm-hearted. It was clear from the beginning that his biggest motivator was to make others happy,” said Kaleigh on Javan’s persistence.

“They kept on asking me to do stuff,” said Javan, “and I just kept on doing it, so I could get out of here sooner.”

With that determination, Javan continued to get stronger and was soon able to walk on a treadmill with a harness.

“Javan was extremely hard working and warm-hearted. It was clear from the beginning that his biggest motivator was to make others happy.”

Today, he’s able to walk forward and backward on his own. “His therapists have treated him like a little brother; they’ve really been his biggest cheerleaders,” said Devone, “And anything Javan sets his mind to, he’ll accomplish.”

During Javan’s time at Franciscan Children’s, he received over 200 visits from friends, family, and classmates. He even received special visits from the man who drove the truck on that devastating rainy day. After the accident, Javan’s family learned that the driver was a family acquaintance, as he was Javan’s old hockey coach.

He visited Javan at Franciscan Children’s frequently, planned fundraisers in his honor and became an extended part of the Fox family.

“I’m not sure who’s happier this day has come- him or me,” said Devone on the day Javan returned home.

Javan arrived home just in time to spend the holidays, which included a very special Christmas Eve (that happens to be his birthday), with his family and friends.

“To have him home for the holidays was truly a blessing,” said Devone.