Father’s Day weekends at False River were always about making memories for Blaise and his dad, Rory. But last summer, a day of tubing and laughter turned to tragedy when a pontoon boat struck Blaise, then 14, leaving him with severe injuries to his feet.
What followed was a journey of exceptional care, resilience and hope that has Blaise once again walking, fishing and growing stronger through everything he’s endured.
A Terrifying Turn on the Water
The accident happened in a flash. Blaise was swimming back to his dad’s boat after a tube ride when a pontoon boat came barreling toward him.
“When he saw the deck of that pontoon boat pass over his head, he knew there was no way out,” Rory recalls. “Blaise swam down as fast as he could, but the propeller clipped both of his feet.”
In an instant, Blaise’s world changed. Even in his shock, his first words after surfacing were, “I need help.”
Rory immediately sprang to action, jumping into the water to help him back to the boat. Another passenger wrapped Blaise’s injured feet in towels and kept him calm, while Rory raced to meet paramedics at the boat launch.
World-Class Care at the Right Time
Blaise was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital back home in Baton Rouge, the region’s only Level II pediatric trauma program. The expert medical team didn’t waste a moment.
What was initially expected to be a two-hour surgery became six hours as surgeons meticulously repaired Blaise’s injuries, which included a severed Achilles tendon, fractured heel, severe ligament damage and multiple broken bones. More than 10 pins and 60 stitches were required to stabilize and heal his feet.
Aileen Danko, MD, was the on-call pediatric orthopedic surgeon who cared for Blaise that night, and Brad Culotta, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon Rory has known since childhood, led Blaise’s care team during his recovery.
Rory is in awe of the team’s dedication.
“I’m so glad they took their time,” he says. “They did such a great job that Blaise didn’t need any follow-up surgical procedures. They made all the difference.”
The nursing team also left a lasting impression, not only for their expertise but also their kindness. Rory remembers one nurse lightening the mood with a tutu and tail, a playful gesture that even teenaged patients could secretly appreciate.
A Remarkable Recovery
Doctors initially warned the family that Blaise’s recovery would take much longer. But just six weeks after the accident, Blaise took his first steps with a walker.
“As unlucky as the events of that day were, we’ve had the best luck possible with his recovery so far,” Rory says. Whether it was luck or a combination of Blaise’s sheer determination and excellent medical care, Blaise was able to come home from the hospital just three days after the accident.
Now Blaise walks without assistance, attends physical therapy regularly and even competed in a bass fishing tournament this fall. His determination is evident, though the journey has been far from easy.
Starting high school in a wheelchair wasn’t how Blaise envisioned his freshman year, but he approached the challenge with bravery and grace.
Back to the Outdoors
For a boy who’s always loved the water, the accident tested Blaise’s courage. He initially told his dad he wasn’t sure he’d ever want to get back on a boat. But his passion for fishing quickly overcame his fears.
Today, Blaise is back on the water, doing what he loves most. Rory couldn’t be prouder of his son’s resilience.
“He’s better at fishing than I am, and he’s always been so resourceful,” Rory says. “I know he’ll do whatever it takes to make a full recovery.”
Blaise’s recovery wasn’t just about expert medical care — it was also powered by the love and support of his family, including his dad, his mom, Nicole, and siblings, Austin and Kate.
Exceptional Care
Blaise’s journey highlights not just his strength but the exceptional care he received at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. From the skillful hands of the surgeons to the compassion of the nurses and team, every step of his recovery has been marked by excellence.
As Blaise, now 15, continues to heal, his story reminds us how life can change in an instant — and how, with the right care and determination, the road to recovery is filled with hope.
On Nov. 30, Blaise will be honored as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes during the LSU Football game against Oklahoma. His story of recovery is an inspiration to everyone who hears it.
