Multiple Brain Surgeries Help 1-Year-Old Nong Yok Pull Through after Tragic Car Accident

In 2012, Jidapa ‘Nong Yok’ Penphimol was involved in a serious traffic accident that tragically took the life of her grandfather and put her own young life in serious jeopardy. She was just one year old at the time. Thanks to the intensive care she received at Samitivej Srinakarin and her own strong will to survive, Nong Yok not only made it through that critical period after the accident when she underwent multiple brain surgeries, but is now well on the road to recovery.

Nong Yok’s mother, Jindarat Ngamwutthanasuk, kindly talked to us about the accident, the treatment her daughter received at Samitivej Srinakarin, and the recovery she has made.

Pic: Before the accident

“In 2012, Nong Yok was involved in a serious car accident and she was immediately taken to hospital, here, at Samitivej Srinakarin. She was unconscious at the time and was required to undergo brain surgery urgently as she had sustained a brain injury in the accident. She had the surgery but once it was over, she wasn’t able to recover straight away due to the severity of her brain injury. It was therefore necessary for her to undergo another 2-3 operations, after which point she recovered somewhat, but was still unable to speak or walk. Her communication and motor skills had completely shut down, so she needed to undergo intensive training to re-learn these skills.

“Six years have now passed since that day and Nong Yok has gotten better. She’s improved a lot actually because she can now walk, although she still suffers from some muscle spasms. She can speak too. She can speak clearly and she’s also able to eat by herself sometimes, while also being quite independent with some other activities.

“We must express our sincerest thanks to so many people. We must first thank Professor Panu in particular, the surgeon responsible for carrying out Nong Yok’s surgery and the whole team of doctors who take care of brain injury patients; Professor Somgit and the rehabilitation team; and Professor Wisarn who took care of Nong Yok from the moment she first entered the hospital. Next, we must say thank you to the team headed by Professor Pannasak and the whole of the physical therapy team.

“The fact that the team here are so highly skilled in pediatrics made us feel a lot more confident and comfortable in entrusting them with our child’s care.”