Portrait: Keenan
On September, 21st 2023, while I was out for my usual 5am run on Tawa Street, I got hit by a car. Running was a big part of my life. That morning, my dad found me. My eye socket was blown out, but thankfully, I didn't have any lasting eye problems.
A little bit about Keenan
My name is Keenan, I’m 21 and from Wellington, New Zealand. On September, 21st 2023, while I was out for my usual 5am run on Tawa Street, I got hit by a car. Running was a big part of my life. That morning, my dad found me. My eye socket was blown out, but thankfully, I didn't have any lasting eye problems.
As I am writing my story, we are in March 2024. I am in a space where I can do everything on my own now.
Hospitalisation and Recovery
After the accident, I spent 2-3 weeks in the hospital's intensive care unit. I don’t remember a single day in the hospital. The doctors said I might not make it. They also thought I might never walk again because I had a lot of injuries, including multiple face fractures. But with therapy and help, I got better. I went from not being able to sit up in bed at first, to now being independent, like making breakfast by myself. I did suffer from Post Traumatic Amnesia, whereby I would see old memories and confuse them as recent ones.
I was lucky to survive. The doctors told my family my survival rate was only 3-4% after sustaining such a severe traumatic brain injury.
A young boy down the street on his way to the train station called the police that day, and I'm forever grateful. My neighbor, who used to see me run every morning, noticed when I stopped. He remembered my older sister, who inspired my love for running.
After leaving the hospital, I spent a few months in a rehab unit (ABI), where I met some amazing people who helped me. I promised to visit them again soon. I met my therapy team, healthcare assistants, nurses and doctors who played a crucial role in my recovery.
My support system
Apart from my team of health specialists, I want to express my gratitude to my high school friends, childhood friends and university buddies who supported me through everything. They visited me, took me out, and kept my spirits up. Thanks to their unwavering support, I'll be graduating in September 2024 after completing my degree and receiving a Doctor’s certificate for my last papers.
I am happy to graduate later so I can focus on improving my walking and further enhance my abilities with hydrotherapy, which I will be undergoing once again with my physiotherapy. Additionally, I can go to the gym and allow my hair to grow back, which will make me feel more energetic and refreshed.
I am not ashamed of my scars, I am proud of them as they symbolize progress made.
However, I understand that they can be triggering for my loved ones, so I have taken that into consideration regarding the trauma they have experienced.
Words of advice to other survivors
The advice I would give to other survivors is to take advantage of therapy; I am now walking and running again due to it. Therapy also promotes brain neuroplasticity. I was told I would never walk again, but now I can walk and run. But therapy is a long-term investment for your future self, and it takes time.
This is my story—a reminder that even when things seem impossible, with support and determination, you can overcome anything.
Will you join us today and donate to help fund more research and therapies for brain injury survivors like Keenan?