Injured boy returns home to recover

COLDWATER - When 10-year-old Mike Nix returned to town on Monday, he was met with the cheers and encouragement of about 500 students and staff from Coldwater Elementary School.

More than five months ago, Mike was seriously injured while riding his bike in Coldwater. He had been riding his bike north on Rose Drive on Sept. 13 when he ran a stop sign at the intersection with Main Street and was struck by an eastbound dump truck, according to Coldwater Police Department information.

He was wearing a helmet at the time but still suffered serious injuries. He was transported to Mercer County Community Hospital and later taken by emergency helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

He was separated from his family for about 171 days after the accident. Sarah Nix, Mike's mother, said she spent most of her time with her son at Dayton Children's Hospital or at the Cleveland Clinic. Her husband initially spent time with Mike in Dayton, too, until he had to return to work. The parents began to alternate places on the weekends, so each could spend time with one of their two children.

The setup was hard, Nix said, but the family made it one day at a time. They're thankful to God, their family and the community, all of whom have offered support, and Nix said the family had learned what was most important during this ordeal.

Now, at last, the family is together again under one roof. To make his homecoming more special, Mike's medical transport vehicle back home took a slight detour past his school. On the streets near the elementary school, students in kindergarten through fourth grade - including Mike's younger sister - and school staff held up signs and balloons, shouting their support.

"We had kind of talked with Mom and wanted to do something just to show support obviously for him as we have been this whole time, and just to do something for our students to show support and kind of know that he's back," elementary principal Mike Etzler said.

Mike wasn't able to see the crowd himself, but the ambulance drivers rolled down the windows to let him hear. His parents showed him pictures and video of the gathering once they arrived home. Mike still has some recovering to do and was unable to communicate his reaction, his mother said.

"It was pretty emotional for everybody, but it was very exciting," Etzler said.

The first day back was busy, Nix said. The family spent it getting Mike settled in at home and unpacking equipment from the hospital. People from the community also came by to offer supplies. Ultimately, the family is very glad to be back together.

While Mike is back in his hometown, he still has a long way to go, such as having difficulty communicating. Nix said the family's greatest need is private-duty nursing. She advised that anyone interested in helping could contact Aspire Home Health Care Services of Cridersville for more information.