surgery/orthopedics
Emma
Injured at 12, car accident

First impression grows into lasting friendship

Emma and nurse Kristine Ramirez found the blessing of friendship in what might seem one of the most unlikely situations.

In the summer of 2002, 12-year-old Emma and her father, Luc, were driving home to Houston after visiting his parents in Ohio. On a highway in Arkansas, they were involved in an accident and Emma was thrown from the car, suffering multiple injuries. After two weeks in a hospital in Memphis, Emma was flown in an air ambulance to Texas Children’s. She and Ramirez, the nurse who received her on the 11th floor of West Tower, and one of the first faces she saw at Texas Children’s, clicked immediately.

“Emma was in pretty bad shape when she got here,” Ramirez remembers. “Her right arm and right leg were broken in several places, her pelvis was shattered and one of her legs was almost severed.”

Through the two months Emma was at Texas Children’s, Ramirez and Emma cultivated a relationship built on trust, admiration and respect.

“Everyone at Texas Children’s was so wonderful and nurturing,” says Emma’s mother, Marilyn. “But Emma really trusted Kristi. She reached a lot of firsts with Kristi and would allow only her to do certain procedures.”

Emma remembers Ramirez’s professional expertise, as well as her sense of humor and compassion.

“Kristi gave the best shots and did the best dressing changes,” Emma says. “Also she really talked to me; she didn’t just answer my questions. I asked her a lot of questions, but she never got mad.”

And Emma’s bravery and strength of character made a lasting impression on Ramirez.
“She is a very special young lady,” Ramirez says. “It was really hard for her in the beginning, but she stuck with it. She’s very bright and has a great family.”

Both Emma's family and Ramirez agree Texas Children’s 12-hour scheduling and primary nurse system help patients and nurses form close bonds.

“I was Emma’s primary nurse, so every time I worked she was my patient,” Ramirez says. “This really helps develop relationships because you’re not seeing new patients each time.”
Ramirez received her nursing degree from University of Texas-Pan American and worked in McAllen before taking some time off to have two sons, now 1 and 2 years old. Her family moved to Houston about a year ago for her husband’s job.

“I never planned to be a pediatric nurse, but I love it, ” she says. “I really enjoy working with kids, especially those who are recovering from surgery.”

Marilyn says she will never forget the day Emma left Texas Children’s.

“Everyone lined up to say goodbye, and they were all waving as the ambulance pulled away,” she says.

The family, which owns a French bakery and café, have been fans of Texas Children’s ever since. They will make a cake for Texas Children’s 50th birthday celebration next year.

Emma, now a sixth grader at Duchesne Academy, enjoys drama and math and is looking forward to the summer, when she hopes to be able to lose her crutches and return to playing softball. Her family and Ramirez make it a point to stay in touch.

When she is old enough, Emma plans to volunteer at Texas Children’s. It should be the perfect start for either of her career goals – plastic surgeon or nurse.