ST. GEORGE — Creed Leonard, the 20-year-old missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was critically injured when he was hit by a vehicle in the Boston area last fall, continues to make progress in his recovery.
As previously reported, Creed and his mission companion were both struck by a car while they were crossing a street in a crosswalk on the night of Nov. 30, 2022. Although his companion’s injuries were less serious, Creed sustained a traumatic brain injury and has since undergone multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitative therapy.
Last week, on May 3, just a little over five months after the life-changing incident, Creed was released from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and taken to his family’s new residence in the Boston suburb of North Attleboro.
“Although it’s a new home, it’s home to him,” said Chad Waggoner, Creed’s father.
“It’s wonderful to have him home,” added Creed’s mother, Marla Leonard-Waggoner.
Chad Waggoner, who works as an optometrist in St. George, has been flying back and forth to Massachusetts once or twice a month for the past several months. Meanwhile, Marla Leonard-Waggoner and Creed’s two younger siblings have stayed in Boston to be near Creed.
Last month, in early April, Marla Leonard-Waggoner, along with daughter Sway and son Cross flew back to St. George for a few days, which marked the trio’s first time back in Utah since right after Creed was injured. However, that time was mainly spent packing up in preparation for the whole family to move to Boston and getting their home in St. George ready to put on the market.
They have since sold their home in Utah and purchased a residence in the suburbs just south of Boston.
“We feel with all his doctors, therapists, medical team and world-class facilities, that this is the best place for Creed to recover,” Waggoner told St. George News, explaining that he plans to continue flying back and forth to work in St. George.
“There is about a two-year window of time that we are told much of the recovery occurs,” he added. “We want to provide Creed with the best opportunity to recover and we feel Boston is that place for him.”
The Facebook group “Messages for Creed,” which currently has over 3,500 followers and is maintained by Marla’s sister Jenny, has served as a place where people can follow the latest updates and offer support. Along with positive and inspirational messages, the page’s blog also documents the setbacks and challenges that Creed has faced.
One recent milestone that was highlighted was the removal of Creed’s feeding tube, which Waggoner said was significant because it indicates that he’s now getting enough nutrition from feeding himself.
Waggoner also talked about the intensive rehabilitative therapy Creed has been receiving.
“They are definitely working him out,” Waggoner said. “He’s doing four to five hours of therapy a day. From motor skills to occupational therapy, learning things, like how to brush your teeth and feed yourself.”
Among the top-level physicians who have examined and treated Creed is Dr. Joseph Giacino, the program director and principal investigator for the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System.
“The steps when you’re coming out of unconsciousness and into consciousness, and what to expect … he wrote the book on that,” Waggoner said. “They’ve got all these amazing minds that are there. And so we just feel like, in order to get Creed the best help for recovery, we as a family can take that time to help him get the best care that he can. So that’s why we’re planning on staying there.”
Staff members at the rehabilitation facility have also been training Marla Leonard-Waggoner on how to be Creed’s primary at-home caretaker.
“He will be starting all of his therapies this week at home,” Leonard-Waggoner told St. George News on Tuesday.
“He will start outpatient therapy at the beginning of July,” she added. “Until then, he will have PT (physical therapy) OT (occupational therapy) and speech therapy several times a week at home, which will be great as we all get adjusted.”
Waggoner said his wife has been “nothing short of amazing” in stepping up into her new role as caregiver.
“They’ve given Marla the OK to be able to take Creed outside,” Waggoner said in late April, shortly before Creed was released. “The rehabilitation hospital is right on the water and they’ve been able to go out and enjoy fresh air, sunshine and the scenery. Marla spends much of her time with Creed engaging with him, reading, listening to music and seeing what they can. She has brought in various games and puzzles that help with memory. She constantly helps him with remembering letters and numbers.”
Several other recent milestones highlighted in an April 27 post in the Facebook group include:
- Doctors are seeing signs of Creed emerging from his semi-conscious state.
- Creed works hard in physical therapy. He pushes that right side of his to improve.
- Creed can sing (slowly) to songs. He seems to love music. Aunt Katie even had him singing a little frog song with a big smile on his face.
- Creed is smiling more. He also laughs and chuckles more often.
- Creed is talking more. It is slow, there are often pauses when he responds, but that voice is Creed’s and we love hearing it.
Waggoner also emphasized that the church continues to provide financial support to Creed throughout his recovery.
“The missionary medical department is committed to help with Creed’s long-term recovery plan,” Waggoner noted.
But even with the bulk of Creed’s medical expenses being covered, the situation still has been financially challenging for the family, Waggoner said.
“There are so many unforeseen expenses that occur outside of medical, and the donations have really helped,” he said, noting that many have donated via Venmo or GoFundMe.
A “miracle minute” fundraising drive conducted during the halftime of Crimson Cliffs High School basketball game raised more than $3,300, Waggoner said, adding that the school’s boys soccer team also recently raised $700 in caramel apple sales.
Waggoner expressed his gratitude for all those who have stepped up to assist them over the past several months, both in Utah and in Massachusetts.
“We appreciate all that everyone has done for Creed,” he said.
Family members and friends have also been generous with their time, he added.
“Marla’s sisters Jenny and Katie and her brother Matt have been so helpful in spending time with Marla away from their families, to support and help Creed’s recovery,” he said.
Waggoner said he and his family remain optimistic about Creed’s prognosis.
“He’s got a good base that he can build on, and as he gains his strength and balance and all of those things,” he said. “He’s on a trajectory, I think, that shows that he’s willing to recover, and so it’s just a matter of time.”
Waggoner said Dr. Jeffrey Schweitzer, the neurosurgeon at Mass General who performed Creed’s initial brain surgery, expressed a similar sentiment.
Recalled Waggoner: “Last time we saw him, Dr. Schweitzer said, ‘I expect Creed to walk in here, within a year, to his appointment to see me.’”
Photo Gallery
Creed Leonard practices making finger signs at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard does a physical therapy exercise at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard practices making finger signs at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard practices walking down the hallway as part of his physical therapy at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard reaches to take hold of a cup inside his room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard practices reading at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard's siblings Sway Leonard (left) and Cross Leonard (pushing wheelchair) accompany their older brother home from the hospital, North Attleboro, Mass., May 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Creed Leonard holds up a stuffed rabbit inside his room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Valentines and other handwritten messages of support for Creed Leonard during his recovery, Boston, Mass., March, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner via Facebook, St. George News Creed Leonard prepares to practice writing words on a whiteboard, Boston, Mass., April, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner via Facebook, St. George News Creed Leonard's younger siblings Cross Leonard and Sway Leonard give their older brother a hug in his hospital bed, while other images show Creed's handwriting on a whiteboard, Boston, Mass., March, 2023 | Photos courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner via Facebook, St. George News Creed Leonard works at stacking blocks in his room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News Stuffed bunnies and reminder signs along the wall of Creed Leonard's room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass., April 2023 | Photo courtesy of Marla Leonard-Waggoner, St. George News
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