Unique Brain Injury Rehab Program Delivers Recovery ‘Miracle’

On April 20, 2022, 19-year-old college student Malachi Gaddy sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle while changing a tire, requiring months of intensive medical and rehabilitation care. 

But despite having multiple broken bones, a collapsed lung, a fractured skull, a traumatic brain injury and a crushed right leg that required amputation, Malachi is thriving nearly two years later—a direct result of his drive and determination to recover with the help of hismultidisciplinary team and personalized recovery plan at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health. 

With an individualized treatment plan to help achieve his recovery goals, Malachi received treatment from experts in brain injury medicine, prosthetic/orthotic care, ophthalmology, neuropsychology, speech and swallowing care, and physical/occupational/cognitive therapy.

“Our objective was not only to help Malachi regain the highest possible level of function but also to help him thrive,” says Brian Greenwald, M.D., medical director of the Center for Brain Injuries at JFK Johnson, who coordinated Malachi’s rehabilitative care. “As a result, we were able to get him back to work and help him live his life in a way that initially—given the extent of his injuries—seemed difficult to achieve.”

A Pathway to Recovery

After Malachi’s accident, he was in a coma from April 20, 2022, until early June 2022. When he emerged from the coma, in addition to his other injuries, Malachi had a breathing tube and feeding tube, and was unable to see.

After his condition was stabilized in the acute care hospital, Malachi was transferred for his rehabilitation to JFK Johnson, which offers a continuum of care tailored to the unique needs of patients with brain injuries. Malachi started his journey to recovery in the institute’s inpatient Brain Trauma Unit (BTU) on June 9, 2022.

“When I first met Malachi, he had severe injuries. In addition to having multiple surgeries, he was missing part of his skull, was blind in both eyes, lost his right leg above the knee, was unable to swallow and required breathing support,” Dr. Greenwald says. “We knew we needed to make a head-to-toe plan to help him get better, so we focused on what would help him most in the short term while also considering his long-term care needs.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Greenwald, Malachi and his care team got to work. His care team performed a complete assessment of his condition, looking at everything from his cognitive function to his strength and range of motion to his eyesight and his ability to speak and swallow. 

Malachi’s vision was severely impacted after the accident due to the presence of hemorrhages in both eyes. While Malachi was a patient in the BTU, he was given a comprehensive work-up by ophthalmologist Benjamin Spirn, M.D. Dr. Spirn performed two surgeries on Malachi that enabled him to regain his vision. 

“The fact that JFK Johnson is attached to an acute care hospital—JFK University Medical Center—affords our patients the benefit of having highly trained specialists available and ready to care for the most complex patients. This allows us to maximize our patients’ functional recovery in a medically safe and quality-driven way,” says Sara Cuccurullo M.D., medical director and VP of the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, and physician in chief, Hackensack Meridian Rehabilitation Services.

Adds Malichi: “My team assessed where I was and what help I needed. I received speech, physical and occupational therapy that was personalized to my condition.”

More than a Collection of Injuries

After spending several months in the BTU, Malachi’s condition improved and he was transferred to the Extended Recovery Unit (ERU) at the Center for Brain Injuries, JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree—the only specialized sub-acute brain injury unit in New Jersey and one of only a few in the nation. 

“Malachi’s care required the expertise of specialized physicians, nurses, therapists, neuropsychologists, amputation experts, prosthetists and more, and our comprehensive, compassionate care combined with Malachi’s resilience enabled him to regain his independence,” Dr. Greenwald says. “The continuum of brain injury care we offer at JFK Johnson really is the secret sauce to helping people get better.”

Malachi says the team always found innovative and enjoyable ways to help him practice his skills. “I love to cook and my mom is a chef, so I did cooking therapy as part of my occupational therapy,” he says. “I was able to cook whatever I wanted, and I learned to navigate the kitchen using my wheelchair so I would be prepared to cook for myself when it was time to go home.”

He says the team at JFK Hartwyck always prioritized his safety and well-being while creating a home-like environment where he could thrive. 

“Everyone took the time to learn about me and always treated me as a person, not just a collection of injuries,” Malachi says. “Even though I had to follow the rules that were there to keep me safe, I always felt like I had the chance to be as independent as possible, practice my skills in a safe environment and take initiative to do things on my own. I was able to be myself, and that helped me to feel comfortable and confident.”

Excited for the Future

Malachi received his temporary prosthetic leg in 2022 and was discharged from the ERU in November 2022, equipped with the confidence he needed to live independently at home and navigate his changed lifestyle. He continues to receive outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy through JFK’s Outpatient Cognitive Rehabilitation Program.

During his time at JFK, Malachi worked in the hospital’s concession stand for patients and visitors as part of his vocational rehabilitation, which proved to be a perfect fit for his entrepreneurial nature and helped him get a job running the snack shop and assisting in the kitchen at Plainfield High School.

In addition to his day job, Malachi is using his skills in photography and knowledge of exclusive sneakers to run two businesses. He’s not stopping there: In 2024, he hopes to obtain his substitute teacher certification and use the knowledge and skills he gained during his high school basketball career to serve as a basketball coach. He will also receive his permanent prosthetic limb in the coming months. 

“Malachi’s positive attitude, motivation and work ethic are an inspiration,” Dr. Greenwald says. “It’s a miracle for someone to come so far in such a short time, and we continue to give Malachi the tools he needs to maximize his success.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our sources: Brian Greenwald, M.D., and Sara Cuccurullo M.D.
• To make an appointment with a rehabilitation specialist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about rehabilitative care at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.