Robert Bowen is a typical, active teenager. A few years ago, however, Robert could not walk, talk or eat on his own. After having surgery at Children's Hospital on March 19, 2001, to remove a benign brain tumor, Robert suffered from inner-cranial bleeding and was admitted to Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on April 1. It is uncertain what caused the bleeding, according to Robert's stepfather, Keith Boyce.

During Robert's stay in the PICU, his mother, Bonnie Boyce, almost never left his side. He was in a coma, and the pressure in his brain was dangerously high. As a nurse, Bonnie knew the severity of her son's situation, but she was also confident in the quality of care he was receiving. She was not the only one who stayed close by Robert's side. One nurse stayed almost an entire shift longer than scheduled to be with Robert during one difficult day.

"The staff at Children's went beyond what they are required to do," Bonnie said. "They become your friends as well as your caretakers."

The staff at Children's reciprocated praise of Robert and his family. Carol Segroves, a nurse in the PICU, recalled the first time she saw Robert laugh after his surgery. She said it was when another nurse, Missy Eblen, was singing the country song "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," to him.

"It just amazes me that this young fellow has an easy-going spirit about everything he has been through," Segroves said. "And he has been through it!"

Robert was moved to a regular patient room a month after he was admitted to Children's, and he was finally discharged from the hospital May 13, 2001. This was the best Mother's Day gift his mom could receive.

Robert needed intense rehabilitation therapy after he left Children's, and he was immediately admitted to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center for inpatient treatment. In four and half months, though, he made a lot of progress. At first, his only movements and communication were blinking his eyes and holding up one finger for "no" and two fingers for "yes." Soon he was walking and talking again.

Robert went home from Patricia Neal on Sept. 25, 2001. He continued to work with a physical therapist for a while after his discharge.

"It is a testimony to see Robert and his family come through such an ordeal and keep a positive attitude," Segroves said.