After spending more than 100 days in the hospital recuperating from being shot in the head while reacting to a fatal bank shooting in April, police officer Nickolas Wilt is now returning home.
Louisville police officer Nickolas Wilt, 26-year-old, was shot in the head in April (Source: CNN)
Recovery Stage of Police Officer Nicolas Wilt
According to CNN, after the shooting, the 26-year-old underwent brain surgery and spent almost a month on a ventilator, according to authorities. Despite still having pneumonia and “other lung complications,” according to Louisville police at the time, Wilt was off the ventilator and all other life-supporting equipment by May.
He was released on Friday after spending the majority of the spring and summer in rehabilitation at The Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville healing from his injuries. In a press conference held on Friday before Wilt’s discharge, doctors praised his fortitude and bravery as well as the generosity of his family, according to CNN affiliate WLKY.
In speaking on his behalf, his twin brother Zack Wilt expressed gratitude to everybody who had assisted along the journey and expressed his brother’s anticipation for a satisfying supper. During the news conference on Friday, Zack Wilt remarked, “He’s been requesting a steak dinner for a couple of weeks now, and you bet we’re going to get him a steak dinner tonight.”
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Police Officer Will Soon Start His Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy
Dr. Darryl Kaelin, medical director at Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, stated Friday during a news conference that Wilt has been working on regaining consciousness, his ability to speak, swallow, take care of himself, stand, and even start walking again during the past two weeks. Wilt was, according to Kaelin, “making a remarkable recovery.”
“Resilience, power, bravery, and service. Officer Nickolas Wilt can be described in several ways, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department, which posted a description of the homecoming on its Facebook page on Friday.
Before Wilt was discharged, Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel paid him a visit on Thursday. At a news conference on Friday, she said that moment when Wilt shook her hand and said, “Thanks, Chief,” was the highlight of her day. That is my main objective, she stated, because “I never thought that I will be able to hear those words.” “That he’ll keep making amazing progress, no matter what is ahead for him. LMPD will be right here to help him negotiate it, according to Gwinn-Villaroel.
According to Kaelin, Wilt will start outpatient rehabilitation therapy the next week. He will also receive physical therapy for leg strengthening, standing, and walking. Wilt will also receive speech and cognitive therapy to enhance his communication, problem-solving, thinking, and remembering, as well as occupational therapy to concentrate on self-care skills and strengthening his arms.
