Doctors removed part of his skull to relieve the swelling on his brain. It's where he was hit by the side mirror of a passing van in February at the intersection of 15th Ave NW and NW 87th. It was a step into an intersection that changed his life forever.

The impact damaged a carotid artery. Part of his brain was without oxygen for an unknown and damaging amount of time. He suffered a left brain stroke and very nearly died.

Four months later, Nick is at home in a hospital bed, in a downstairs family room, unable to move his right side, unable to speak, and facing an uncertain future.

But, surrounded by his mom and dad and his three younger brothers, he is improving slowly and offering his family hope.

"I feel that there's a reason that he's here," said his mom Jennifer of the 12-year-old's fight to survive. "And so that's why we're just doing everything within our power to help him."

One of the reasons they believe Nick is still here is to get changes. The intersection where Nick was hit used to be a marked crosswalk. The city felt it was too dangerous and removed the crosswalk signs to discourage people from crossing 15th NW at that busy NW 87th intersection. Nick and a friend tried anyway. The first car stopped but the second didn't.

Four months later, the city has added a new crosswalk converting a former flashing yellow in front of the fire station at 15th and Holman into a three way fully-lighted and controlled intersection. Several weeks ago the city also launched a public service campaign targeted specifically at pedestrian safety. But the crosswalk, while welcomed in the Crown Hill neighborhood, is not at the intersection where Nick was hit. It is a half block to the north. Neighbors lost their argument with city planners that the light was most needed at the 87th intersection.

Nick's family appreciates the changes the city has made but still feel it isn't enough.

"It's too late for Nick," said Jennifer Messenger. "And the city knew for a long time, that for five years, that was a dangerous intersection and nothing was done until after Nick's accident."

Eric and Jennifer are also letting you see Nick's injuries to help raise awareness. They hope that maybe you'll see him and change the way you drive.

As for Nick's future, he is being helped by dozens of family members, friends, and volunteers. Over 50 people have signed up to take turns helping with Nick's nightly physical therapy. Car washes and other fundraisers have raised thousands to help pay medical bills.

And in that bed, in the first floor family room, the Messengers celebrate the small victories. During our visit the family cat, a short-tailed feline understandably named "Bob," jumped onto the bed for Nick to pet him. The 12-year-old did with a laugh and a smile.

"I think just seeing him smile is huge," said his dad Eric. "It's worth everything."

And, they say they will keep fighting to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and to hold onto the hope that they'll be able to find the honor student, the athlete, and the musician they lost on that crosswalk four months ago.

"We hope to get that back. That's the goal, " said Eric.

"He may not be the Nick that we had before," said Jennifer. "But we're so happy that he's here with us and we have this opportunity."

Donations to help the family with medical expenses can be made in Nick Messenger's name to the Nick Messenger Benevolent Fund at any branch of Bank of America.