Toddler’s new journey begins after discharge

Like anyone else’s, Amanda Smith’s days are busy. The Manchester resident works every weekend at the Respiratory Care Center at Rockcastle Regional Hospital as a registered nurse on the pediatrics wing.

When three-and-a-half-year-old Grant Towery was discharged from the facility on a Wednesday in August, she made time to drive the 45 minutes from her home to be there when he left.

Grant, born prematurely and suffering from chronic lung disease, had arrived two years earlier.

“When he first came,” Amanda recalled. “I remember he was anxious a lot, probably scared of all of the new faces. He loved to be held, loved to be rocked.”

Grant’s journey had begun, and those new faces soon became like family.

And once patients are admitted, the team’s skilled, caring hands begin the holistic, multi-disciplinary treatment process with one abiding goal in mind – weaning patients from ventilator care so they can live a more independent life.

When that happens, staff gather around to say their goodbyes on what’s known as “Discharge Day,”

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Smith said of Grant’s discharge.

“It’s sad, because it feels like a part of us is leaving when our babies leave,” she said candidly, “but it’s also a very happy time, knowing he’s going home with a good family to live a more independent life.”

Grant’s mom, Courtney, is grateful.

“This was the only option in several states, the only place willing to get him out of the NICU,” she recalled.

She looks forward to seeing him discover the joy of walking through a park, petting animals he’s never encountered, and experiencing new things.

“We’re excited to see his reaction to the world.”