By Christy Barritt
The Virginian-Pilot
No one at Greenbrier Christian Academy knew what the assembly was about - not the teachers or the students.
Among the crowd were visitors that included doctors, nurses, therapists and others from Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. Balloons floated in bundles and curtains had been hung around the stage, all signifying that something special was happening. This wouldn’t be just an ordinary Thursday chapel service at the Kempsville Road school.
Some speculated about a visit from a presidential hopeful like Hillary Clinton or Mike Huckabee. Some even murmured that maybe President Bush was paying the school a visit.
The assembly last Thursday morning was actually about one of the school’s own hopefuls: 15-year-old Nick Manning.
The freshman had no idea he had been selected as the 2008 Children’s Miracle Network champion. He learned about it only as the proclamation was made in front of his family, friends and peers during the assembly.
Children’s Miracle Network Champions Across America honors remarkable children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges.
On Aug. 26, 2006, Nick almost lost his life in a motocross jumping accident at the Currituck MX track in North Carolina. The Nightingale air ambulance rushed Nick, who had massive brain injuries and suffered a stroke, to CHKD where he was on life support for 13 days.
The outlook looked grim. Doctors told his family that 87 percent of people with similar injuries either die or are left in a vegetative state.
“They told my parents to say goodbye when they flew me on the Nightingale because they didn’t think I was going to make it,” Nick said in an interview after the assembly. “It had to be terrible for them.”
Today, Nick credits his recovery to God.
“I’m a believer, and the Lord brought me through all of this,” said Nick, a member of Point Harbor Community Church, near where he lives in Western Branch. “I just give all of the credit to him.”
As a CHKD representative talked about the Children’s Miracle Network and then showed a video of Nick at the assembly, things started to become clear to the teenager. This was no ordinary chapel service.
“I had no idea this was happening,” Nick said. “Yesterday I was hanging out on the mezzanine (in the school auditorium), and I saw them setting up. I thought it was just going to be a special chapel they were having.”
His mother, Marcie Ackerman, was moved to tears by the event, even though she had known about it for a few months. She wanted to surprise her son with the news.
“For Nick it was a great honor, but I also wanted to make sure that the message got across that it’s not just about Nick’s story,” Ackerman said. “There are so many kids who have fallen ill or have been hurt in injuries. I wanted the point to get across that it’s about all of these children, and Nick’s just been chosen as the representative from the state of Virginia.”
As a representative of the Children’s Miracle Network, Nick will travel to Walt Disney World in Florida to participate in the taping of the 2008 Children’s Miracle Network Telethon Celebration. He also will travel to Washington, D.C., as an ambassador for 17 million hospitalized children across the nation. While there, he’ll visit the White House and meet with senators and representatives in an effort to share the message that his life is better because of the work done at children’s hospitals.
“I’m really hoping to meet the president,” Nick said.
As some of his nurses and therapists from CHKD gathered around him after the assembly, he proudly showed off his learner’s permit. Nick, who will turn 16 next month, said he got it a week before Christmas.
Though Nick can’t play any contact sports because of his injuries, he has taken up the drums and is making all A’s and B’s in school.
Nick’s pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Eric Crouch, was on hand for the event. Crouch helped with Nick’s visual rehabilitation. Nick had double vision for a period after the accident.
“He truly is a miracle,” Crouch said. “He’s a legend in his own time essentially.”
He thinks highly of his patient and didn’t want to miss the assembly where Nick would be honored.
“It’s really an outstanding opportunity,” Crouch said. “We’re just thrilled that he was recognized and that he was awarded this opportunity. ... He’s an amazing individual.”
Nick said he’s deeply grateful for the honor. But he also hasn’t forgotten the people who have supported him along the way.
“I just want to thank all of my family members and friends,” Nick said. “They supported me through all of this. I just want to give all of the credit to them.”
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