A medical, legal, and
informational resource
for persons dealing with
traumatic brain injury.

STORIES OF AMAZING RECOVERIES

Submitted By: Debby Gerhards
Submitted From: Missouri
Contact Via: honorstudent03@aol.com

I am Debby Gerhards and this is the Story of my husband's brain injury:

My husband John Gerhards was leading a very normal life. He had a good job, was starting new hobbies, and loved his family. On May 29, 1998, he went off to see his brother after work. While he was at the house, a fight broke out and John had received several blows to his head.

He was taken by Life Flight to St. Joseph Hospital Trauma Center in Kansas city, MO. He was admitted to the ICU. Here was where he was put into a coma and then required surgery a week later. The surgery consisted of removing the left frontal lobe. John spent a total of 24 days at St. Joseph, he was then moved to the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City.

Here is where he spent 7 weeks as an in-patient. During this time they helped learn how to sit up, swallow and walk as well as speech therapy. Then he spent 6 months as an out-patient where he learned everything all over again. He did reading, writing and was also in a work place where he learned to communicate with other people. The doctor's, nurses, therapists and the staff were dedicated towards, John's recovery.

Today John is still on disability and working part time fro his brother and sister-in-law's company. Mike and Sandy Rambler are the owners of Superior Lawn and Landscaping of Belton, MO. John is a very hard and dedicated worker. He pushes himself everyday trying to reach his goals. At his job, John plants flowers, digs the holes for landscaping ponds, and works on the company trucks when they need to be repaired. His automotive skills have not been lost for long.

It is going on 6 years and he is still recovering everyday. We can see progress in his work skills and his memory is getting better. John also spends his time helping his two kids with his homework. He is a whiz at math. Considering all he has been through he still leads a pretty normal life. He still has the same hobby he did before the accident and that is collecting die-cast cars. Thank you for all your help.

Sincerely,

Debby Gerhards,
Wife of John Gerhards