Khadeem’s Recovery From Devastating Motorcycle Accident - Helen Hayes Hospital Honors Assembly 2023

At just 28 years old, Khadeem Smikle was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident which caused brain, spine, lung, and other injuries that left him in a coma. As he emerged from that coma and began physical rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital, he had to relearn how to walk, talk, eat, and breathe, all while struggling to remember what had happened to him or where he was. Despite these challenges, Khadeem exhibited tremendous strength and excelled in his rehab program. After 4 months, he was able to regain his independence and walk out of rehab on his own, assisted only by a walker.
Khadeem was presented with the Medal of Independence at the 123rd Helen Hayes Hospital Honors Assembly on September 19, 2023. Please visit our RUclips Channel for more inspirational honorees from the 2023 Honors Assembly. For more information about inpatient and outpatient rehab at Helen Hayes Hospital, please call 1-888-70-REHAB or visit www.helenhayeshospital.org.