Talon's Journey

Overcoming a Traumatic Brain Injury

When Talon was 13, a serious dirt bike accident changed his life. He suffered a severe brain injury and now uses a wheelchair. Thanks to extensive therapy, Talon is making impressive strides in his recovery. He is also participating in a home-schooling program to continue his education. His determination to walk again, fueled by his passion for dirt biking, keeps him motivated.

On April 28, 2024, Talon crashed while riding on his favorite track. No one witnessed the accident, but by the time the ambulance arrived, he was unresponsive and not breathing. He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, where doctors were prepared for his arrival. Talon sustained multiple injuries, including fractures in his T6 and C6 vertebrae, a broken skull and clavicle, a lacerated liver, bruised lungs, and severe brain damage from axonal shearing. Due to significant swelling in his brain, doctors placed a bolt in his skull to monitor pressure and brain activity. They induced a coma to help him stabilize and recover. The trauma team informed his family that the swelling covered much of his brain, leaving them with no option to relieve pressure by removing part of the skull. They could only use a drug called pentobarbital, and if it failed, Talon would face brain death.

The following week was filled with uncertainty. The family was told multiple times that the swelling was too severe, and Talon might not survive. They held onto hope and believed in his strength. Each day, they watched as his intracranial pressure soared above normal levels, which range from 7 to 15, while Talon’s numbers reached between 50 and 100. On the third day, doctors had to insert a needle to release trapped air in his lungs to prevent collapse. The family stayed by his side, praying for his recovery. After a challenging week, doctors finally told them that Talon would survive and encouraged them to rest. Talon remained on a ventilator and in a coma for seven weeks. By the eighth week, he was still in a coma but passed a breathing test, avoiding the need for a tracheotomy.

Recovery: Hope Emerges

Talon was moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, though he remained unresponsive. Three months post-accident, he opened his eyes but didn’t react. He started therapy three times daily, focusing on physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Gradually, he grew stronger. On July 31, Talon began to attempt communication. With ongoing therapy, he tried an exoskeleton suit to help him walk and started school, discovering he could read and write.

137 days after his accident, Talon left the hospital to go home. His recovery journey will be long due to the severity of his injuries. His family is grateful for the care he received at Children’s Hospital. They take him to therapy twice a week and pay for additional sessions three times a week. They are also exploring hyperbaric chamber and stem cell therapies to support his recovery. Although the process is slow, Talon is learning to walk with a walker and hopes to inspire others who have faced similar accidents.