Jonathan Schimpf - Brain Injury Survivor

Jonathan Schimpf

August 27th, 2022

At a friend's bachelor party, I decided to ride a dirt bike motorcycle. Unfortunately, during my ride on the trails, I never returned with the group. When they went looking for me, they found me lying unresponsive on the ground, with my dirt bike and helmet scattered nearby. I had no broken bones but suffered significant brush burns and a torn ear.

911 was called, and I was airlifted to a trauma hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania, where I was diagnosed with a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and six brain bleeds. On the second day, doctors drilled a hole in my skull to relieve pressure, but by day five, I developed meningitis.

I remained in a coma for 23 days before being moved to another unit, where I spent 30 more days gradually regaining consciousness. On day 52, I had a permanent shunt placed in my head, and the next day, I was transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation center. There, my trach tube was removed, and I spoke for the first time. As I underwent intensive therapy, I slowly began to piece together what had happened.

After my inpatient stay, I moved in with my sister and her family and continued outpatient therapy. I’ve faced neurological challenges, including seizures and spasticity. My double vision is managed through ophthalmology care and prism prescriptions, while physical therapy has helped improve my balance and mobility.

I continue my mobility recovery through physical therapy and personal training sessions. I have progressed from being wheelchair-bound to walking with the aid of a trekking pole. Recovery is slow, but it’s important to give yourself grace and remember how far you’ve come.

Can you share about the brain injury event itself?

On August 27, 2022, at a friend’s bachelor party, I decided to ride a dirt bike. During the ride, I never returned with the group. When they found me, I was unresponsive on the ground, my helmet and bike scattered nearby. I had no broken bones, but suffered brush burns, a torn ear, and a severe TBI with multiple brain bleeds.

How did you feel during the first days, weeks, or months after the injury?

For 23 days, I was in a coma, followed by another 30 days slowly emerging into consciousness. There’s no definitive day where I was suddenly "with it"—it was a long, gradual process.

What kind of rehabilitation therapies or treatment have been most helpful through the process of recovery?

My personal trainer has played a huge role in building my leg and arm strength, working on balance exercises, and keeping me moving forward. Physical therapy alongside personal training has been a game changer.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you or your loved one has faced during recovery?

Everything changed. I woke up to a life completely different from what it had been before.

If there have been setbacks or repeated injuries, describe that journey.

Seizures have been an unexpected challenge. Recovery is not linear—there have been many ups and downs, but I’ve learned to push forward despite them.

How has your life changed since the brain injury?

I am not able to do many of the things I used to do before my injury. My daily life looks completely different.

What role has support from family, friends, or community played in your journey?

Everything. I wouldn't be where I am now without their support. Honestly, I’m not sure where I’d be without them.

Have there been any moments of breakthrough or unexpected positives along the way?

The progression from a wheelchair to a walker, to a trekking pole has been life-changing. Regaining mobility has been a major breakthrough in my quality of life.

What has surprised you about this journey with brain injury?

How slow brain recovery is. You don’t realize just how long the healing process takes—but moving forward is the only option.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of this journey?

Many of the friendships I thought were strong turned out to be based only on proximity.

What does "hope" mean to you?

Hope is the belief that no matter how difficult the journey, staying positive is essential. It’s the understanding that progress — no matter how small — still moves you forward.

If you could share one encouraging message with another survivor or family, what would it be?

The only direction is forward. Don’t look back.