Chicago, IL – A family vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica, turned tragic for 12-year-old Joshua Vaisman, who sustained severe brain injuries after being struck by a large adult at a waterslide on July 1. The violent collision left Joshua unconscious, causing him to sink to the bottom of the pool.
According to family reports, Joshua was initially treated at three hospitals and required two medical airlifts, despite Hurricane Beryl. He was then transported to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami before being airlifted to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago on July 8. Joshua remains in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where doctors are working on a treatment plan for his traumatic brain injuries.
Witnesses reported that the large adult collided with Joshua as he was swimming away from the waterslide, leading to his severe injuries. A GoFundMe campaign has raised $43,000 to support Joshua’s recovery. The Vaisman family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and prayers received, requesting continued assistance with the financial challenges of Joshua’s ongoing treatment and recovery.
JoAnn and Ron Vaisman, Joshua’s parents, shared that he is not yet able to swallow on his own and is using a feeding tube. Despite the severity of his injuries, Joshua has shown signs of improvement, smiling and waving to his parents. The family remains hopeful and is deeply appreciative of the care provided by medical staff and the support from the community.
