Haitian teen recovering in FW

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) --- -
After traveling more than a thousand miles from home to get life-saving care for his weak heart, a teen known as "Wigans" is recovering with a host family and growing stronger every day.

NewsChannel 15 first reported on Wigans's story back in May, as he was being discharged from Lutheran Hospital.

He spent five weeks in critical care at the hospital due to weak pumping chambers in his heart. He underwent a number of surgeries and procedures to save his life.

The teen was brought to Fort Wayne after being discovered on a medical mission by a local church group.

Much of his care and medical equipment have been donated by various donors and medical professionals.

It's been nearly two months since Wigans' discharge and he now has a much different life ahead of him.

Now, the teen is a jokester, with plenty of smiles to go around.

Host mom Karen Emerick has seen the amazing transformation first hand. She can still remember the first few hours after bringing him home from the hospital.

"He was really weak, couldn't get in an out of bed, our biggest challenge was finding him something to eat," she recalled.

But under the care of Karen and her husband Dick, that's all changed. Wigans is eating and has added at least 20 pounds to his slim frame.

Now, he's living the life of a normal healthy teen, and that means playing video games, joking around and even learning how to fish.

Dick says, "It's great to see how he has progressed and what is going on in his life."

Though Wigans doesn't speak much English, the Emericks say they've had no trouble communicating.

Three times a week, they take him to cardiac rehab at Lutheran to help him on his road to recovery.

"He's a good kid," says Tina Yates, one of the doctors at the rehab center. "He's willing to do whatever we ask him, and as far as progressing, he's doing really well."

During rehab, Wigans lifts weights, does leg raises and walks on the treadmill--all to help his heart get stronger.

And as the days go by, his heart is not the only thing getting stronger.

"His personality has come out, physically he's just so much healthier," says Karen. "He's a different child now, really a different child."

The Emericks plan to return to Haiti on another mission trip in about two weeks.

Wigans will travel back with them and be reunited with his family.