We don’t get many opportunities to write uplifting stories about traumatic brain injury (TBI), so when we found a story filled with hope, we just had to share it with you. This comes from CBS New York.
As a rehabilitation counselor at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey, Matthew Peltz helps children who have suffered brain trauma to recover from their injuries. Just seven years ago, however, Matthew was the one who needed rehabilitation.
At age 16, Matthew was hit by a van on a highway, suffered brain injury, and ended up spending several weeks in a coma. When he came out of it, he had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even eat on his own. Although he still struggles with problems related to his injury, especially short-term memory problems, Matthew graduated from Penn State University, and is apply to graduate school.
“I’ve never been happier than when I’m helping patients and I see myself in each and every one of the patients I help on a daily basis,” he said.
No one knows how an individual will respond to brain trauma, but having a counselor who understands exactly what they are going through helps patients feel more at ease with their treatment. It will never be easy, but counselors like Matthew show patients that recovery is possible.
We hope Matthew gets into the graduate school of his choice—he would make a great neuropsychologist.
To read the full story, click here: CBS New York HealthWatch
To learn more about traumatic brain injury in general, visit our dedicated web page here: HensonFuerst Brain Injury page
