Healing for Alex

Alex Coching is a quiet, thoughtful, beautiful 16-year-old girl who loves to paint and organize her room. Alex is a big fan of Shawn Mendes and the Philadelphia Eagles, she also loves anything Harry Potter. She is a devoted big sister, looked up to by her younger siblings, Luke (14) and Ava (11)— they love playing Minecraft together.

On November 15, Alex came home from school early with a terrible headache. After an early bedtime, and sleeping most of the night, she woke up and wasn’t acting like herself. She was rushed to the ER and a CAT scan revealed swelling in her brain. In a whirlwind of events she was emergently flown to CHOP, intubated and sedated with central lines and a feeding tube— Alex’s family waited, anxiously for answers.

After about a week of treatments which included plasmaphoresis and high dose steroids, Alex was extubated. However, she was unable to move her right side and communicate properly. It took two days before she could sit on the side of the bed. Any questions directed towards her she would answer with a simple, “yes”.  It became apparent that her weakness and communication skills were compromised from the injury to her brain.

Thanksgiving was spent in the hospital, she no longer needed a feeding tube but her diet was modified- her food was soft and her drink was thickened. However, Alex was not alone, she was surrounded with love by the presence of her family and loved ones.

On the day of her 16th birthday, Alex was transferred to a rehab and continues to undergo extensive speech and physical therapy with goals to regain her strength and communicate clearly. Goals to simply be 16 again.

Alex’s parents, Eleonardo and Lourdes are genuine, hardworking, and kind. They are devoted parents to their three children, often making memories with day trips to Hershey Park, hikes in NY,  exploring Philadelphia and dining out with their friends. They faithfully and generously support their aging loved ones who live across the world. They are humble, unassuming and are an integral part of their community and work places.

Eleonardo decorates cakes at Sams club, he is a very responsible man, a very involved father. He helps with homework, takes them to the park, cuts their hair, and cooks meals. More importantly, he makes his kids laugh and encourages them to work hard, and be respectful holding to Christian values. 

Lourdes is an ICU nurse at Holy Redeemer Hospital, she is loved and adored by her co workers and comrades. Instead of being at the bedside of her patients, she has been at the bedside of her teenage daughter— changing her, bathing her, and feeding her, as she relearns some of the most basic activities of daily living.

As a tight knit family, Alex’s presence at home is sorely missed. Luke especially has been overwhelmed with sadness. Dec. 16 was his 14th birthday, his one and only wish was to celebrate with his big sister.

Amidst this holiday season, please consider giving to this special family, give your time, your resources, your prayers or your finances- any small amount adds up, no donation is too small. Thank you, for your generosity.


Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

-Helen Keller