The Respiratory Care Center at Rockcastle Regional: A Lifeline for One Family, A Beacon for Many

For the family of Cayden Campbell, the journey to healing has been long and filled with challenges. After several difficult years and countless emergency room visits, they found themselves at a crossroads—exhausted, out of options, and in need of help.

That’s when they discovered the Respiratory Care Center at Rockcastle Regional Hospital.

“I’d never heard of it before,” said Cayden’s grandfather, Lloyd Abdoo, a well-known businessman who has worked all over the state. “Even with all my knowledge of Kentucky, it was off my radar. But it turned out to be the answer to our prayers.”

Cayden, now 17, suffered a brain injury in a drowning accident at age five. With complex medical needs, the family had a difficult time finding the right setting for Cayden, and his condition was deteriorating. He sometimes was taken to the emergency room several times each week.

Three years after finding the Respiratory Care Center, the transformation has been almost miraculous.

“They’re the greatest people on the planet,” Abdoo said of the staff. “They’ve done wonders for Cayden. I can’t say enough about how they’ve treated our family.”

Cayden has made incredible strides. Once unable to communicate, he now responds to questions with his eyes and interacts using adaptive devices like switches and iPads. Seizures, tremors, and aspiration—once daily occurrences—have vanished. He attends school and shows clear signs of mental engagement and joy.

It’s not just the medical care that sets Rockcastle apart— it’s the people. “They’re angels,” Abdoo said of the staff. “They seem to dedicate their lives to their patients and their patients’ families.” Whether it’s late-night phone calls about a fever spike or thoughtful outings to malls and movie theaters, Abdoo said their support never wavers.

While medical science continues to evolve, Cayden’s family, who describes him as a sweet and loving child, is hopeful that his future is bright. And for them, Rockcastle’s Respiratory Care Center isn’t just a facility—it’s hope made real.

“There’s no way I could ever explain what this place means to us,” Abdoo says. “It’s simply awesome.”