Earlier this fall, the Texans announced a donation of $250,000 to support the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) at Texas Children's Hospital, which works to heal patients physically and emotionally following a severe illness or traumatic injury. Through goal-setting and physical and psychological therapy, patients work to relearn skills which were once routine as they navigate a return to functional independence at home. The gift from the Texans not only provided a fresh new makeover of the IRU's gym in the Hometown Teams' colors of Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red and Liberty White, but also provided resources to help enhance the quality of life for the patients that utilize it - like Jonathan.
Jonathan Johnson is a firm believer in attacking life "one day at a time." The 18-year-old loves his family, basketball, the Texans and Deshaun Watson, and is finishing up high school.
While there's nothing extraordinary in Jonathan's approach to life, the obstacles he's overcome the last few months certainly are. In early September, Johnson was diagnosed with a mass on the right side of his brain. After undergoing a pair of surgeries at Texas Children's, Johnson faced a recovery that would involve extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy.
He was weaker on his left side because of the surgeries, and went through weeks of therapy at the hospital's IRU. Following his surgeries, Johnson could barely open his left hand. Now, after going through the IRU's therapy, he's out of a wheelchair and able to walk on his own. He can brush his teeth with the left hand he previously couldn't open, and he's still in the top one percent of his class at high school.
Every year at Texas Children's, roughly 140 patients with diagnoses ranging from cerebral palsy to brain tumors are treated in the IRU. Because of a generous donation from the Houston Texans, parts of the unit are decorated with the Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red and Liberty White colors of the hometown team.
Jonathan's even shot some hoops in the IRU's gym, which is decked out in Texans colors as well.
His positive attitude, coupled with the world-class care and technology at Texans Children's, have Jonathan on track for brighter days ahead.
The Houston Texans are proud of Jonathan, are glad to be partners with Texas Children's Hospital.
Deshaun Watson sent Jonathan an autographed football to encourage him as he continues on the road to recovery! We are all cheering for you, Jonathan!
Texans announced a donation of $250,000 to support the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) at Texas Children's Hospital, which works to heal patients physically and emotionally following a severe illness or traumatic injury.
