About this Video

• Video Title: Off The Record: Ryan's Friend Shares HIS SIDE of the Crash Story (ft. TJ Lee)
• Channel: JustKiddingNews
• Speakers: Ryan, TJ Lee, Pilot Mike
• Duration: 43:11

Introduction

This JustKiddingNews video features an interview with TJ Lee, a friend of Ryan who was involved in a serious car accident previously discussed on the channel. TJ recounts his experience in the accident, his subsequent paralysis, and his recovery process. The video offers a first-hand account from TJ's perspective, supplementing Ryan's earlier narratives.

Key Takeaways

• The Accident: TJ, a passenger in Ryan's car, was severely injured in a car accident, resulting in paralysis from the torso down. He was initially given a low chance of recovery.
• TJ's Perspective: TJ details the events leading up to the accident, including a spontaneous trip with friends and the aftermath of the crash. He describes his experience of being injured, unconscious, and ultimately rescued.
• Recovery: TJ's recovery process was lengthy, involving multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy. He shares the challenges of dealing with paralysis and the long road to regaining some function.
• Occupational Therapy: TJ's experience led him to pursue a career in occupational therapy, where he now helps others facing similar challenges. He explains the difference between physical and occupational therapy.
• Modeling: TJ discusses his involvement in modeling for Zappos Adaptive, a company creating clothing for people with disabilities.

1. TJ sustained injuries to his spine, specifically C4 and C5 vertebrae, which were severely compacted, resulting in partial severing of nerves and causing paralysis from the torso down. The initial prognosis given in Bakersfield was a four percent chance of any improvement, though later a thirteen percent chance was given by another medical team.

2. TJ reveals that the trip to NorCal was partially driven by Ryan's desire to see his girlfriend. Ryan's girlfriend's parents unexpectedly came home early, causing Ryan to be rushed out of the girlfriend's house, leading to the subsequent events that resulted in the accident.

3. The first sign of movement TJ experienced after four months of paralysis was a spontaneous, involuntary twitching or "pumping" in his penis, which he initially felt as tingling, hot and cold sensations. This was followed by the ability to feel pain.

4. TJ clearly remembers glimpses of the EMTs arriving, the helicopter ride (feeling extremely cold and unable to open his eyes), and being asked for personal information while in the helicopter. In the hospital, he recalls hearing doctors discuss his impending surgery, including drilling holes into his skull. He remembers his mom being present and feeling anxious. Post-surgery, he remembers waking up disoriented, with a tube in his throat, and subsequently pulling out his breathing tube before a nurse discovered him.