At just 9 years old, Hudson Dick was an energetic, soccer-loving boy who excelled at school. But in October of 2023, everything changed when he suddenly began complaining of a severe headache. His mom, Kristin Dick, knew something was wrong when Hudson started exhibiting stroke-like symptoms and weakness on one side of his body.
“When he told me his head hurt so badly, I knew this was serious,” Kristin said. “He was never one to complain.”
Kristin immediately called 911, and Hudson was rushed to the hospital in Fort Lauderdale. The diagnosis was devastating: Hudson had a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare condition where an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain ruptured, causing a stroke and significant brain bleeding. The bleeding put tremendous pressure on his brain, leading to a coma.
His medical team acted quickly, performing a craniectomy, a surgery that removes part of the skull to relieve pressure. After the surgery, Hudson spent two weeks in a coma, fighting for his life. But even after his condition stabilized, the family knew he needed more specialized care. After speaking with friends and medical experts, they transferred Hudson to Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Medical Center, one of the few centers in South Florida with expertise in treating AVMs in children.
At first, Hudson was unable to speak or move the left side of his face and body. Dr. Robert Starke, a neurosurgeon at Jackson Memorial, explained that due to the size of the AVM and its location, the team needed to perform an embolization procedure to block the blood vessels feeding the AVM. The surgery was successful, but Hudson’s recovery would be a long, difficult road.
“He had substantial deficits from the bleed,” said Dr. Heather McCrea, the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Holtz Children’s. “He had to relearn everything, but he was incredibly motivated. Hudson did remarkably well.”
Hudson spent a month in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU), recovering and working with his physical therapist, Kyle Zreibe, at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. At first, Hudson needed significant help even to sit on the edge of the bed. But over time, his determination to regain his mobility helped him make remarkable progress.
“Walking was really hard for me,” Hudson said. “But just standing for a while was good, and my left leg started getting used to standing and walking.”
With support from Zreibe and the rehabilitation team, Hudson progressed from needing assistance to walking on his own. By December, just two months after the surgery, he was walking independently. His love for soccer and his idol, Lionel Messi, kept him motivated throughout his therapy. Zreibe used Hudson’s passion for soccer as a way to make therapy feel like a fun challenge, comparing it to training for the Inter Miami soccer team.
Hudson’s hard work paid off. After four weeks of intense therapy, he was able to return home just in time for the holidays. By January, he was back in school, and despite missing 10 weeks of class, he made the Honor Roll by the end of the school year.
“My husband and I feel like Hudson is a miracle kid,” Kristin said. “The stars aligned to save Hudson’s life, and we’re so proud of him. We truly believe that we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for Jackson and the exceptional care he received.”
Hudson is now focused on his next goal: running. He hopes to try out for his school’s soccer team, a dream that once seemed impossible after his medical crisis.
“I think God kept me around for a good reason,” Hudson said. “One day, I’ll do something great.”
Hudson’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and exceptional medical care. Despite facing a life-threatening condition, Hudson’s resilience, supported by his family and medical team, helped him overcome unimaginable challenges. His story serves as an inspiration to all who hear it—a reminder that miracles can happen with hope, love, and the right support.
