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A Tribute To Friendship: Davanna Feyrer

A Tribute To Friendship: Davanna Feyrer

Rehabilitation for brain injured patients is a tough job and a long process. Davanna is one amazing kid who manages to smile through it all.

Davanna's KDKA-TV Vignette

Davanna's Photo Gallery

Davanna in Amazing Kids

A Tribute to Friendship

Davanna's room is covered in cards and gifts from her caring and loving community.

Young Tory McCoy and Davanna met in gymnastics class, and soon became BFFs (Best Friends Forever). When Davanna lay in a coma at Children’s Hospital, and then during her long recovery at The Children’s Institute, Tory was at Davanna’s side whenever she could be. In gratitude for Tory’s gift of friendship, Davanna’s parents, Minnetta and Dave Feyrer, wrote a tribute to Tory and sent it to her school principal and local newspapers. Here is one excerpt:

As Tory’s mother, Tracy, shared the news of the night’s events with her, a wellspring of love flowed within her heart. Instantly she embarked on her own heroic journey to see her Best Friend. Two days after the accident, two little hands gently united at a bedside vigilance as love’s radiance streamed down Tory’s little cheek. Within the near-silence of medical technology, she bowed her head and whispered her prayer for Davanna. In her bravery, she neatly wiped away love’s stream with a smile that illuminated the room. When curtain call came for this day’s visit… she whispered her desire to pick Davanna up and simply take her home.

Davanna with her best friends.

In the News

To read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article about Davanna and her friends, click here.
To read the letter from Davanna's parents to the editor, click here.

Letter from the Family

Days before Davanna went home, her parents wrote a heartfelt letter “to all the professional community at The Children’s Institute.” With the family’s permission, here are brief excerpts:

This journey we’ve traveled with all of you has been incredible! The staff here is like no other we’ve met. Each and every one has ‘gone the extra mile’ to ensure the excellent care and development of our daughter Davanna.

Along the way the optimism encouraged and sustained us. Our daughter has blossomed here with a staff that is first and foremost competent and professional in their service delivery as well as full of love and compassion for both the child (Davanna) and the parents (us). On countless occasions, staff have taken the extra time to share personal, real-life stories, listen to and embrace our tears and heartaches, offer hands-on gifts as well as a piece of their hearts with off-duty visits. This incredible outpouring of professionalism wrapped in what we believe is God’s love is like no other known to us. This really is an Amazing Place and amazing things happen here as the result of your fabulous staff.

We love each and every one of you.

Thank you from the bottom of our heart!

Upon discharge from The Children's Institute, Davanna walks out the door with her parents.