As an 11-year-old fourth-grader, Eric Ikens life was forever changed in 1983.
He was out for a bike ride when he was hit by a car. The injuries that resulted left the then elementary student in a coma for nearly a year. After six months, the hospital discharged him and left his family to search for a facility that would cater to the needs Eric had.
They eventually found such a place in Pittsburgh. It was another five months before Eric awoke and another year before he was able to come back home. The work, however, was far from over.
Eric continued his therapies and made progress. He eventually was able to relearn how to eat on his own and no longer needed a feeding tube. Nearly 40 years later, Eric is a quadriplegic with limited use of his left arm and hand. He also has brain seizures and is unable to speak, but does understand what is said to him. He communicates by pointing, nodding and through his facial expressions.