On a fall Saturday evening in November, Isadora was outside playing on scooters. She and a neighborhood friend were “curb surfing,” or scootering over curbs to catch air. However, when Isadora went up her last curb, her scooter handlebars wobbled, she fell and everything went dark.

“Isadora had fallen off of her scooter, but had blacked out temporarily and had no idea she had shattered her spleen,” say Isadora's parents, Jennifer and Steve.

When she awoke, Isadora's friend helped her up. She had scratched up her arms, hands, knees and head. The two then went to the friend's house for Band-Aids and ice packs. It was then that Isadora noticed pain in her shoulder, and she had difficulty breathing. Her friend texted Jennifer to let her know what happened.

Jennifer says Isadora later went home and spent a few hours lying down, and when she got up, she passed out. Jennifer called 911 and Isadora was transferred to a local hospital where scans revealed her spleen had shattered and she had internal bleeding. Isadora was immediately airlifted to Phoenix Children's.

“We were told if Isadora had been in her bed and had just gone to sleep that night, she likely would not have made it to the morning due to the internal bleeding,” Jennifer says.

After 12 hours of observation with internal bleeding and nine blood transfusions, Isadora was able to undergo surgery to save a portion of her spleen. It had shattered into four pieces. Jennifer says the day after surgery, Isadora exceeded the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) and rehab nurse's expectations and was moved out of the PICU ward.

“She fought hard every day to get back home,” Jennifer recalls. “Seven days in the hospital and Isadora was released and happy to be home with her family and friends. Doctors had told us she had zero signs of trauma, and as a result, her case was being used to educate the staff.” Additionally, seven weeks from her injury date, Isadora was released from all physical restraints and rejoined her school's volleyball team.

“All nurses and doctors, including ICU nurses were attentive to Isadora and us during our stay,” Jennifer says. “I can't say enough about how much everyone made our visit tolerable, considering the situation. The Animal-Assisted Therapy Program provided a sense of normalcy for Isadora. She has pets at home, and allowing her to get close to an animal really helped her light up, get excited and heal.”

Today, Isadora is doing well. Her parents say she's full of spunk and enjoys giving back to the community. And because many people wanted to help Isadora while she was in the hospital, a blood drive was started in her name. Isadora, her family and friends continue that blood drive every November.

Isadora's Interests

Volleyball

Creating and designing shoes

Calligraphy and bullet journals

Volunteering for community causes

Fixing things around the house with dad

Phoenix Children's Animal-Assisted Therapy Program

Donate to Isadora's Cause

Phoenix Children’s Patient Ambassadors are a valiant bunch—they’ve shown immense strength amidst great setbacks. They’re also athletes, intellectuals, artists and the best siblings.

Even though their lives are full of medical appointments, they want to help other patients. Each ambassador has created a fundraising page to support Phoenix Children’s. Consider donating to Isadora's fund today.