Being a kid again (VIDEO)

A 2-year-old should be playing with toys and chasing his siblings. Not spending months in the hospital.

That was the reality for Lincoln Torres, whose NMDA Encephalitis, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that attacks the brain, caused seizures that left him nonverbal and unable to walk. It was a stark difference from the rambunctious toddler his family knew before his diagnosis.

Lincoln’s parents, Jon and Nina, were terrified. They didn’t know if they’d ever see their son’s fun, silly personality again. But they were determined to find him the best care possible.

“I vividly remember being upstairs and I heard Nina call me from downstairs and you kind of know when the way they call you something’s going on,” said Jon Torres, Lincoln’s father. “I rushed downstairs and I remember seeing him. I remember [Nina] saying, ‘I think something’s wrong. He might be having a seizure or stroke or something’s going on.’ “

Watch the video.

After spending time in acute care, Nina and John chose Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit to continue Lincoln’s recovery journey under the guidance of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medical Director Kimberly Kuchinski, MD, MPH, and the expert inpatient pediatric rehabilitation team. Good Shepherd got started right away on feeding and physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Today, Lincoln receives outpatient therapy services at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation – Hyland Center in South Allentown.

“He’s climbing on everything and can do stairs on his own and just takes these crazy risks and wants to jump and do crazy crashing things like he would with his older brother,” said Physical Therapist Dakota Dionne.

In June 2026, Good Shepherd honored Lincoln and his family at the 2026 Gala in the Garden, an annual event supporting Good Shepherd’s inpatient pediatric rehabilitation program.

Here’s Lincoln’s story: