Sophia Price, with Cook Children's Trauma and Injury Prevention says Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth reported its first snakebites of the season in late April and early May, including its first copperhead bite in May. In 2024, the Cook Children's Health Care System treated 30 snakebites, with the first reported in March.

Jay Pearson, P.A., a physician assistant with Cook Children’s Trauma Services, offers crucial advice for parents on keeping children safe from snakebites. Price recommends avoiding walking in tall grass and wearing protective boots. She also warns that at night, snakes may rest on warm surfaces like driveways or sidewalks. Price emphasizes that individuals should never attempt to touch or handle a snake, even if it appears dead.

North Texas is home to three species of pit vipers:

• Copperheads
• Cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins)
• Rattlesnakes

A snakebite can cause localized pain and swelling that may spread as venom progresses. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and an increased heart rate. In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, or bleeding disorders.

If a snake bites a child, seek immediate medical attention at the closest emergency department.

What to do if bitten by a snake:

• Do not try to capture, photograph, or kill the snake.
• Do not apply ice, tourniquets, or attempt to suck out venom.
• Immobilize the affected limb and keep it at heart level if possible.

How snakebites are treated at Cook Children's:

Once at the hospital, patients with moderate to severe envenomation may receive antivenom, which is readily available at Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Patients are closely monitored for symptom progression and may require hospital admission for observation and supportive care. 

“I dropped off Avyee and asked my dad if I could go one more ride,” Wyatt recalls.

Jimmy agreed. Wyatt drove to a new subdivision, where many of the homes were still being built or were vacant. The road was unpaved. Wyatt hit loose gravel while making a sharp turn, causing his golf cart to tip over. The cart landed on his foot, causing severe injuries.

“I was yelling for help,” said Wyatt.

The accident happened in front of a home where a family had just moved in that day. The mother there picked up Wyatt and rushed him to his home. As the unfamiliar car pulled up with Wyatt, Avyee rushed inside to tell April.

“I got outside and just saw this stranger holding Wyatt like a baby, and Jimmy wrapping his feet in a swim towel,” April said.

Jimmy sprang into action, grabbing his car keys and rushing him to the local emergency room, where Wyatt was stabilized and transferred to Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth.

The 11-year-old’s innocent evening stroll ended with scattered road rash along his side, three broken bones, and two ripped tendons.

April shares that it was not until the next day, when they met with the plastic surgeon, that they realized the severity and trauma their family had endured.

“I realized this is our new reality right now,” April said. “We’d have full days of surgeries, with doctors and nurses constantly in and out.”

During the first few days, the Hatchers were overwhelmed with friends and family pouring in to tend to their two youngest children at home. Their youngest was just 8 months old and breastfeeding. It was then that she realized the trauma affected her whole family.

She recalls one moment in the hospital where she was caring for Wyatt and his baby brother, Bodynn. April explained to Wyatt that while the trauma happened to him, it affected everyone.

She told him, "You must be patient versus expectant. We are all learning new things."

“It was a hard lesson for him, and just a beautiful opportunity to remind him that he was the one in the hospital bed, but it was changing all of our lives,” April said.

In the two years since the accident, Wyatt has undergone 11 surgeries and one tendon release. Wyatt's last tendon release surgery with a podiatrist will be when he is 18.

He says it was the words of an anesthesiologist that helped him face those surgeries head-on.

“He said, ‘When you face a challenge, you have to meet it, greet it, and then defeat it,’” Wyatt recalls.

Camp RISE

The family came to know their Cook Children’s child life specialist well. She suggested they attend Cook Children’s Trauma Support Group. Through the group, they learned about Camp RISE, a camp focused on families who have experienced a traumatic event. The camp helps families build coping skills, process trauma, and meet other families, all while taking part in fun activities like zip lining.

“It was an escape from the city life,” April said. “Being out where the stars are so numerous and it's just an oasis, and it’s just such an excitement.”

As the Hatchers arrived for their first day of camp, they were greeted with cheers and welcomed to their private cabin. Avyee, Bodynn, Wyatt, Jimmy, and April were excited for the experience.

Wyatt admits his favorite part of camp was archery, but during his second year, he felt compelled to encourage other children through their trauma. He credits Matthew 17:20-21 for finding that courage.

“If you have faith, faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell a mountain to move and jump,” Wyatt recites.

To Wyatt, it was about giving hope to someone else.

“This is never going to be normal, but it will become a new normal, and it's going to be okay eventually,” said Wyatt.

After two years at Camp RISE, the Hatcher family graduated in 2024. April said it was a bittersweet moment. The family received a book signed by all the Trauma Support Group staff.

“The ripples were extensive, in what they had us do,” April said. “It’s just a scaffold to bring such healing.”

Just two weeks after the accident, wound vac and all, Wyatt used the anesthesiologist’s wise words to conquer any fears or hesitation he had about getting back in the golf cart. His dad placed him in the seat and gently drove him around the front yard, eventually taking him on the road.

Two years later, at 13, he shows his scar without hesitation. He openly shares and explains the accident with maturity.  

 For Wyatt’s 13^th birthday, he wanted to see starfish and swim with the dolphins. It was being with the dolphins that captivated him. He now has aspirations of becoming a Marineland dolphin trainer.

During that birthday adventure, April says Wyatt found his voice. On his own, while his parents watched, the 13-year-old had to explain to employees and the dolphin trainer why he wears a scuba sock on his injured foot. A scuba sock was something dolphins had never seen before. The trainer told Wyatt he would teach the dolphin what the sock was.

"It was the coolest moment for our kid," April said. "He just walked away with so much more confidence."

“While we are ecstatic that children are finding ways to get exercise and enjoy being outside, we want to remind parents to make sure that kids are protected while having fun,” said Kara Starnes, D.O., medical director of Urgent Care at Cook Children's.

Helmets are a Must for Fun on Wheels

ATV and dirt bike crashes are a common occurrence during summer. Over Memorial Day Weekend, the emergency department in Fort Worth saw 10 injuries related to motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs and skating.

Always ensure your child wears a properly fitted helmet to avoid head injuries. Adult supervision is essential when a child is riding any motorized vehicle, and children should never ride on ATVs or dirt bikes designed for adults.

“Please supervise your children on motorized vehicles,” Taylor Louden, M.D., medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth said. “They should always be wearing their seat belt and appropriate safety gear. The start of summer is a great time to check your kids’ safety gear and make sure helmets fit appropriately and are in good condition.”

A helmet that fits correctly will feel snug but not uncomfortable. 

A few other key points:

• Helmets that passed federal safety standards in testing will say “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission certified” on the label.
• Helmets should be worn in a level position just above the eyebrows.
• If the helmet rocks backward and forward or side to side, adjust the straps. No more than two fingers should fit under the buckled chin strap.    
• Never ride without a helmet.

Water Safety: A Constant Vigilance

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second leading cause for kids 1-14 in Texas. Drownings can happen silently and quickly. A submerged person might not attract attention or appear to be in danger. These tragedies highlight the importance of constant supervision around water.

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook Children's, emphasizes, "There's no off-season for drownings. A moment of inattention can be devastating."

Unplanned swim time is a major culprit, with roughly 70% of drownings at Cook Children's occurring when parents weren't expecting their child to be near water.

Layers of Protection: Keeping Curious Toddlers Safe

Multiple safety measures, known as "layers of protection," can significantly reduce drowning risks. Fencing around pools with self-latching gates, preferably 5-feet high, is crucial. Door and window alarms can alert you if a child exits the house unsupervised. Remember, young children are naturally curious, so removing pool toys and floats when not in use minimizes temptation. For above-ground pools, make sure to remove the ladder when the pool is unsupervised. Consider using a pool surface alarm for added security.

Cook Children's has developed the "Lifeguard Your Child" campaign to raise awareness about childhood injury prevention. Through this initiative, you can find resources like free swim lessons, safety videos, and loaner life jacket stations at lakes across North Texas. Visit lifeguardyourchild.org for more information.

Sun Safety: Protecting Young Skin

Sunburns are not just uncomfortable; they can increase a child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Zinc oxide-based sunscreen is best whenever your child is outdoors. Covering skin with SPF is another way to protect your child’s skin. Apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours, or more often after swimming or sweating. Protective clothing, hats with wide brims, and sunglasses that block UV rays offer additional defense.

Hydration: Keeping Cool and Healthy

Dehydration can lead to nausea, dizziness, headache, or even heat stroke. Encourage frequent sips of water throughout the day, even if your child doesn't feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks that can worsen dehydration.

Your child’s urine colors can range from clear to dark yellow to orange, depending on how hydrated they are. To tell if your child is dehydrated, read this article from Celina D. Cepeda, M.D., a nephrologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper.

Fishing Fun Without the Hooks

Fishing is a popular summer activity, but fish hooks can pose a safety risk. Teach children to handle hooks with care and supervise them closely while fishing. Consider using barbless hooks to minimize injury if a hook snags on skin.

RELATED:

• A Cautionary Tale: The Misadventures of Summer & Top Injuries Seen at Cook Children’s
• Should My Child Ride ATVs? Cook Children's Experts Weigh In 
• Sunburn Relief at Home, When to See a Pediatrician 
• Pediatrician Shares Top Beach Vacation Health Tips 
• Heads Up: Helmet Tips for Safer Bicycling 
• Teen Driver? What to Know Before They Go This Summer 

In 2013, Ann Marie Woodruff was involved in a severe traffic accident that crushed her skull. Eight years later, her ongoing path of recovery took a new twist when she had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, a time to highlight the disorder that happens when the brain’s electrical activity misfires – a seizure. People with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at higher risk for developing epilepsy weeks or sometimes years after their brain injury, as in Ann Marie’s case. 

Ann Marie was 7 years old when she was involved in the wreck. The trauma to her brain caused serious complications:

• Removal of forehead bone, to give space for her injured brain to swell
• Reconstruction of her forehead with a titanium plate  
• Physical, speech and occupational therapy during three months of hospitalization
• Problems with reading comprehension, headaches and noise sensitivity
• Then at age 16 … the epilepsy diagnosis

Despite all those challenges, the Euless 18-year-old is now a high school graduate and a licensed driver. She’s following her dream by working at a kennel and attending dog grooming school. The anti-seizure medication she takes causes some sleepiness but has kept her epilepsy under control.  

"Epilepsy stumped us for a few months, but she is such a determined girl that she was not going to let epilepsy keep her down or define who she is or wants to be," said her mother, Carla Woodruff.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures can result from a change in the chemical environment around the brain cells after bruising/bleeding in the brain, or a skull fracture. Early treatment with medication reduces the chance of additional seizures.

Ann Marie fits the higher-risk category for developing epilepsy because she lost some tissue in the frontal lobe of her brain, said Cook Children’s neurology nurse practitioner Erin Davis, APRN, CPNP. Ann Marie sees Davis every six months to manage her epilepsy. When she meets with families in neurology, Davis uses the analogy of file cabinets to explain how the brain stores memories and other functions. 

“It’s all organized,” she said. “And when you have a traumatic brain injury, they all get knocked over. You have to spend time lifting each one back up and then putting the files back in.”  

Ann Marie has come a long way in putting those file cabinets upright thanks to perseverance, a sense of humor, and the skill of her providers at Cook Children’s. “I have spent the last 10 years doing so many things to improve myself and not just be the girl with a brain injury,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy. But I know I’m worth it.”

This is her story.

The Injury

In the second grade, Ann Marie lived in the West Texas town of Anson. She took karate class in Abilene, about 25 miles away. Her dad, Bill Woodruff, picked her up from karate on Jan. 29, 2013, and began driving home. Ann Marie sat in the back buckled into a high-back booster seat. It was dark and dusty, which reduced visibility on the highway.

Bill Woodruff didn’t see the stopped 18-wheeler that was blocking both lanes. Their crew cab truck slammed into the semi’s trailer and went under it. The impact killed Ann Marie’s dad. She took a blow above her right eye, and her skull was shattered.

Paramedics rushed Ann Marie to a hospital in Abilene. She had multiple injuries – including a liver laceration and broken leg -- but the most urgent priority was to relieve pressure from the swelling of her brain. Doctors in Abilene performed a craniectomy, removing most of her forehead bone from ear to ear. Later that night a helicopter transported Ann Marie to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.     

Admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, she remained in a coma for several weeks. Therapy began once she woke up.

“She had to relearn everything … how to walk, how to talk, who she was,” Carla Woodruff said.

Ann Marie’s brain shifted as the swelling and fluid began to subside. Measurements were made via CT scan, and a manufacturer in Germany created a metal device to fit the exact size and shape of her missing bone.

In the meantime, Ann Marie wore a hardshell helmet to protect her head in case she fell or something bumped into her. The next step: Placing a titanium plate across the gap in her forehead.  

Reconstructive Surgery and Therapy

Seven weeks after the accident, Ann Marie went back into surgery for a cranioplasty, to replace the missing part of her skull. Cook Children’s neurosurgeon Richard Roberts, M.D. followed the incision made when the bone was taken out. Peeling back the skin was a slow process because her scalp was so thin.

Dr. Roberts installed a plate custom-made for Ann Marie and built from titanium, which resists infection. The plate contains hundreds of tiny holes.

“What winds up happening is tissue from underneath and tissue from the scalp can grow together through the holes and help anchor the plate,” he said.  

He described Ann Marie’s recovery as amazing given the extent of her injury.

“If you look at the original CT scan you would think it would be difficult to survive,” Dr. Roberts said. “The hard work and dedication of Ann Marie and her mom and the whole hospital laid the foundation for success.”

That hard work included speech, physical and occupational therapy during her stay at Cook Children’s. As a nurse practitioner, Davis coordinated various aspects of her care. Exercises were designed to feel like play. Those sessions aimed to repair Ann Marie’s attention span, impulse control and other thought processes. For patients with TBIs, intensive rehabilitation soon after injury can help the brain to rewire, Davis pointed out.  

Speech therapy six days a week helped Ann Marie to regain language, focus, and skills such as problem-solving. Speech pathologist Renee Lavelle, MS, CC, SLP in the Neuro Rehab Unit helped Ann Marie learn to eat, starting with liquids and moving to solid foods. “She was easy to work with. She would try anything,” Lavelle said.

Ann Marie remembers little about being hospitalized. But she does recall feeling feisty enough to warn the nurses that she knew karate.

When she was discharged three months after arriving at Cook Children’s, Ann Marie could walk with assistance, feed and dress herself, and respond to simple questions. She continued speech therapy on an outpatient basis and returned to Cook Children’s for annual checkups.

“Over the years every time I see her, she’s better and better,” Davis said. 

Adapting and Achievements

The mental fog continued to lift after Ann Marie left the hospital. But reading comprehension remained a particular struggle. She eventually enrolled in Novus Academy in Grapevine, which serves students with learning differences. She made good grades and thrived in the alternative setting, graduating in May 2023.

It takes a little longer for the pathways of Ann Marie’s brain to process information.

“When asked a question, I usually can’t just answer. I must think about it and see if my brain has stored it somewhere,” she said. “It isn’t always there.”

But she has found new tricks for learning, especially through touch and music. She took up the piano, guitar and trombone. She also loves caring for animals. Her mom describes Ann Marie as kindhearted and hardworking. And she’s resilient when challenges arise, like the news that she needed medication for epilepsy.  

As Ann Marie puts it … Being stubborn comes in handy. Don’t let hurdles stop you from pursuing your goals, she advises. She hopes to someday work at a zoo or wildlife refuge.

“Sometimes it takes a little more grit, but you can do it,” she said. “Don’t give up on your dreams just because something is hard. It is worth everything you must put into it.”

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