THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING
With weeks of therapy still ahead of him, Rakan grew frustrated. He wouldn’t cooperate with caregivers and plugged his ears as Himmet Taskomur, a Turkish friend from Cambridge, tried to reason with him. Dr. Ronan, pediatric social worker Amy Simpson, right, and Deb McSweeney, a physical therapist, left, listened as the negotiation continued.
Rakan's war

Restless patient, agonizing choice

By Kevin Cullen
Globe Staff / February 28, 2006

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Third of four parts After three months in Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 12-year-old Rakan Hassan had gained one critical preteen skill -- popping wheelies in his wheelchair. It scared the hell out of his nurses and therapists, who feared he might fall over backward and crack his skull. (Full article: 2564 words)

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