Support Creed Leonard's Road to Recovery

November 30th, 2022, Creed Leonard was struck by a car in a crosswalk while serving in the Boston, Massachusetts - Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Creed was thrown and suffered severe damage upon impact to the left side of his brain. Within an hour of being struck, Creed was on the operating table at Massachusetts General Hospital where doctors repaired bleeding from a skull fracture and also had to remove a large portion of the left side of his skull to repair additional bleeding and allow room for brain swelling.

It is a testament to the miraculous and immediate response of first responders and doctors that Creed survived those first few fragile days and weeks.

Completely unresponsive for 21 days in the ICU, Creed’s eyes finally began to open and his left hand and leg began to move. His right side did not move. He could not talk or interact with others as the damage to the left side of the brain not only controls speech and communication but is also responsible for controlling the right side of his body.

In the middle of January, doctors thought it best to replace and rebuild Creed’s skull in the hope that having the brain encased would help with the healing. Creed does have a device or a shunt in his head that allows excess fluid to be removed from around his brain. The shunt will be a permanent fixture in his brain and may need additional adjusting throughout his life.

The trauma to his brain was severe and even today’s CT scan (2/8/23), some two and a half months later, still identified bruising and swelling on his brain that needs to heal.

Brain injuries require a lot of patience, time and therapy. They are not sure if Creed can read, or how the injury has affected his memories, as he is often not sure of his surroundings. Creed will have to learn how to use a toothbrush, comb, speak, eat, and walk. In short, Creed has to relearn everything for daily living and therapy is essential in this relearning process. Doctors are hopeful that Creed will walk within a year with extensive therapy.

Creed’s therapy will be extensive, including occupational therapy that focuses on activities of daily living; musical therapy to focus on his ability to talk and relearn creativity; speech therapy to help him formulate words, eat and socially communicate; and physical therapy to help strengthen his muscles and to help his right side become functional again.

His mother and siblings, who have been right beside Creed from the day of his accident, will need to remain in Boston until Creed is strong enough and healed enough to return to Utah. They will continue renting an apartment in downtown Boston where Creed is located. His father needs to remain in St. George to work but will be traveling to Boston often to be with the family. These extra living and traveling expenses will create financial strains on the family at a time when they need to be focused on Creed and one another.

As they move forward, it is clear that Creed will need continuous therapy for years to come. Potential items such as wheelchairs, walkers, a therapy bed, and numerous medical equipment items that they have not even learned about yet. They may also need physical adjustments to their home and a vehicle that will provide Creed with the necessary accommodations.

It's not easy to ask for help and Marla and Chad have been grateful for the outpouring of love but hesitant to ask for financial help. They will need it and they need it now. Let's show them and Creed that they aren't alone in this. They will greatly appreciate any help that is provided. Thank you for your donation.

You can follow updates on Creed's progress on Facebook at the page "Messages for Creed"