Child Traumatic Brain Injury Miracle: A Mother’s Faith-Filled Testimony

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My name is Julie Celestin.

This testimony is about my son and how a simple park day turned into a horrific situation—one that only God could turn around.

A Normal Day That Changed Everything

My son, Ciel, is nine years old and will soon be ten.

On spring break, March 28, 2024—the last Friday of the break—I decided to take the kids to the park down the street from our house. As a nurse, I had worked all week and wanted to spend time with my children on my day off.

After my shift, I gave them the option of going to the movies or going to the park, and they chose the park.

We headed out to enjoy a sun-filled day, kicking the ball around and having fun. As soon as we arrived, Ciel saw his friends and immediately ran off to them, leaving his siblings and me behind. What caught his attention was his friend’s electric scooter.

I watched him while pushing my daughter on the swing. Thankfully, my cousin was with me to help watch the kids and keep me company.

As we went to sit down, my cousin remarked, “Ciel seems really fascinated with that bike.”

I reassured her, saying my son would never actually ride it—he’s easily spooked by things like that.

As those words were leaving my mouth, I watched him get on the scooter. At the same time my cousin responded, “You should get him one,” we heard a loud THUD—BOOM!

The Moment of Impact

I froze in shock as the entire park ran toward him. The scooter had crashed into a gate. All I could think was, “Please be okay,” as I quietly prayed.

Suddenly, I heard a child shout, “He’s bleeding so much!”

As I rushed toward my son, bystanders immediately sprang into action. One man applied pressure using his shirt to stop the bleeding, while another stabilized Ciel’s neck.

At the time, Ciel seemed alert and coherent. Everyone worked together to keep him awake, assuming it was a minor laceration and that we would only need stitches.

From Injury to Trauma Alert

However, once the EMTs and emergency responders arrived, the situation was called in as a trauma alert.

As a nurse, I immediately knew what that meant.

In a matter of moments, they took him away, and I began driving frantically. I had to call my husband, drop the other kids off, and then pick him up so we could head to the hospital together.

My husband tried to comfort me, but I had an uneasy feeling I couldn’t shake—something was wrong. When we arrived, we were asked to wait for the doctor, and soon that fear was confirmed.

Devastating News

As the doctor approached, he spoke words that shattered us.

He said, “I just want you to know he lost consciousness in the ambulance and is currently in a medically induced coma.”

He continued, “He fractured his skull and broke the orbital bone on his left eye. We did this to prevent blood from entering his brain.”

This was now categorized as a traumatic brain injury.

A Mother Torn Between Fear and Faith

We were in shock—lost for words. When we were finally allowed to see him, his father broke down. Our child looked completely helpless—swollen, eyes shut, bleeding, with a neck brace in place.

As a mother, I couldn’t process it emotionally. Instead, I shifted into my role as a nurse, determined to gather every piece of information needed to help my son.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

During this time, we received many grim prognoses. We were told he might lose his eye, develop behavioral issues, not function as a normal child his age, and need extensive therapy—among other things.

Yet, without a shadow of doubt, I knew my God triumphed over every word spoken.

I knew that in a crisis like this, I couldn’t pray for myself—so I called everyone I knew who could pray fervently. Every prayer warrior. Every intercessor. I needed divine intervention.

Covered in Prayer

Ciel was admitted to the Pediatric ICU. Doctors performed frequent MRI and CT scans to ensure blood wasn’t entering his brain. The surgeon had to drain his eye and closely monitor him.

Family and church members visited constantly—for comfort and prayer. Every test that was run, I prayed and asked others to pray. People I didn’t even know were praying for my son from near and far. I even received a recorded prayer from a morning radio prayer line.

Although I had seen situations like this many times with other patients, this time it was my son. Whenever a nurse or doctor began explaining the possible limitations he might face, I stopped them and said, “That won’t be his story.”

The Miracle Unfolds

Ciel remained in a coma for four days.

When he was awakened, he began making progress little by little.

Day 5: He still wasn’t talking and had a flat response.

Day 6: He sat in a chair and played cards with me.

Soon after, he started walking, interacting, and eating on his own.

By Day 8 (April 4th), he underwent surgery on the upper portion of his eye and skull, where a metal plate was placed.

The doctors were astonished—Ciel had no deficits. But I knew I served a God who is faithful to His promises.

Walking Out Whole

On Monday, April 10th, my son left the hospital with no wheelchair and no assistance—completely different from how he arrived.

Although we followed up with multiple specialists afterward, my son is exactly as he was before the accident. It’s as if it never happened.

Many stood in the gap for us, and nothing was impossible for God. I stood in awe of what He did. The doctors were amazed, but I never doubted what God could do.

A Year Later: God Still Gets the Glory

It has now been a year since that day. We are preparing to celebrate Ciel’s 10th birthday by God’s grace—and he has also accepted Christ as his personal Savior by his own choice.

BUT GOD

I almost lost my son — BUT GOD

They said he wouldn’t see out of that eye again — BUT GOD

They said he would have deficits — BUT GOD

They said he would have limitations — BUT GOD

To God be all the glory.

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