Meet Charlie

When Charlie was 19 months old, he experienced a terrible accident. He fell out of a window and suffered significant damage to his mouth and teeth. Charlie’s parents, who were at work at the time, rushed to their local hospital to see their son. “The damage was like nothing I had ever seen, and I worked in an emergency department for eight years,” remembers his mom, Jenny. X-rays revealed that Charlie’s upper jaw was shattered, his teeth had been embedded into his gums and his lips were split. Concerned that he may also have skull fractures or brain bleeds, doctors performed a brain scan. Miraculously, Charlie had no signs of trauma in his brain or skull despite such a serious fall.

Charlie was transferred to Nationwide Children's Hospital Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, where the trauma team includes experts in plastic surgery, working closely with emergency department physicians to assess and prioritize multi-injury issues. Because Charlie’s injuries affected his mouth and teeth, the trauma team introduced Charlie and his family to Janice Townsend, DDS, MS, the chief of Pediatric Dentistry at Nationwide Children’s, and her team. “They were so compassionate and determined to keep Charlie as safe and comfortable as possible,” recalls Jenny.“They sat and walked us through every step of treatment for Charlie and took the time to make us comfortable with the decisions we were facing.”

Charlie underwent several procedures that day, including surgery to clean up and remove the broken bones and teeth. He rested overnight and, in the morning, with a mouth full of stitches and four front teeth missing, enjoyed pancakes for breakfast. Charlie was discharged with recovery instructions and a consultation to discuss reconstructive plastic surgery.

Today, Charlie is missing his four front teeth and because his injury was so significant, his family is not yet sure how his adult teeth may come in. It is possible that his teeth may never come in, come in damaged, or come in completely normally.

“Each time we discussed recovery, we were reminded how blessed we were for a miracle,” says Jenny. “We truly feel like all of those who took care of Charlie were placed to help him survive and recover in ways no one ever expected.”

It has been two years since Charlie’s accident, and he is doing great. He is a happy, smart, and athletic 4-year-old who loves monster trucks. “He truly lights up a room and has such a love for life,” admires Jenny.

Now, Charlie and his family choose to give back to the dental clinic because of the compassion they experienced. “Every time, no matter what, Nationwide Children’s gives gifts to our son that light up his whole world even on the hard days,” Jenny shares.

Charlie and his family have formed a group called CJ’s Friends of Hope to give back to Nationwide Children’s. Charlie donates stuffed animals to the clinic so others can receive the gifts that brought him joy. “We feel it is best to give back because so much has been given to us,” Jenny explains. “We also give back as prayer warriors for those who are faced with trauma, as hundreds did for us.”