This past November, two young men recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) reached their goal of crossing the New York City Marathon finish-line. Participation in the race was part of their recovery program at The Brain Injury Day Treatment Program at NYU’s Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, celebrating its 30th Anniversary of helping trainees reach their goals and improve quality of life. The Director of the program, Dr. Yehuda Ben-Yishay developed the day treatment program 30 years ago, as a result of his work with soldiers injured in Israel.
Yuki Goto, 23, from Japan, completed the Marathon in 4hrs; 43 minutes: and 34 seconds. Danish Khamisani, 26, completed the race in 8 hours; 57 minutes; and 42 seconds respectively. The trainees were assisted by volunteers from The Achilles Club. They both have been through the program 4 times each with better and better results each time. They wanted to try something new to challenge themselves in program.
About Yuki
Yuki was born in Japan. He moved to Canada during high school and attended college in Iowa. In February of 2006 during college he was in a car accident and suffered a TBI. After being hospitalized for months, he returned to Japan. There was no medical center in Japan to offer a program to get him on the road to recovery from his TBI. After his accident he suffered from less brain energy, short attention span, fatigue, slower brain function, inaccurate outgoing communications, lack of comprehension or understanding, irritability, impulsivity and unawareness of his deficits. However, his family noticed a big change. These changes affected every aspect of his life- including dating and problem solving. However, Yuki chose to come to NYU’s Rusk Institute’s Brain Injury Day Treatment Program in February 2007. He has just entered his 4th cycle of treatment that lasts 20 weeks each. His family and him are overjoyed with progress. “Really happy- we can enjoy conversations now,” said Yuki. He always has loved to play guitar, but with his injury he needs more practice, to see the notes and finds it still difficult to play music from memory. But his motto is “perseverance and strength” on his “endless marathon” of life. “My goal is now to return to college, aiming to return, it depends on my progress. If not then my goal is to find meaning in life and start with an internship.” Yuki would like to someday work for a UNICEF like program working with various countries to help children around the globe. The T-BIRD Foundation—is helping trainees like YUKI pay for some of the funding of the $60,000 fee for the 20 week program. His mother is staying with him in New York while his father and brother are in Japan. He is always accompanied by his mom to program.
About Danish
Danish, now 26 years old is originally from Pakistan. While attending college in 2004 he suffered a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident, where unfortunately his brother died. He has struggled with the effects of TBI injury along with the unawareness of his deficits. He also has had problems walking after his TBI and running straight or in an upright position. However, after walking most of the way through the Marathon he has been going to the gym everyday, where he has learned to run in a more upright position. His new hobby is running. Exercise has helped his brain function better on a daily basis. When it comes to the NYC Marathon—he feels – “It was about the joy of finishing and I apply the 3 E’s to my life- Energy, Endurance and Enthusiasm.” He has also learned that- a “happy positive attitude is needed in a Marathon- and in life.” He has found the program very beneficial and very helpful, first hand in his home life which is now much better. His goal is to be more independent and return to college. Danish will be starting a work trial this December. Danish will be in a guided work trial in NYU Langone Medical Center’s Purchasing Department. His father and sister live in Pakistan, while his mother is in New York with him. He goes to program mostly alone now to try to be more independent. Danish feels TBI awareness is very important for people to know these programs are out there to help.
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