Ben Schultz Miracle Story -- Traumatic Brain Injury -- From a Coma to Living on his own

Published 2019-12-08
As many of you know, this is the true story of our son Ben Schultz who was an Anchorage, Alaska firefighter/paramedic when, on June 5, 2017, (at age 28) he fell 95 feet down the aerial ladder truck during a training exercise. He suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and was not expected to live through the night. By the grace of God (and an amazing medical and therapy team) he did survive the night but was in a coma for some 2+ months and in recovery for nearly a year as he learned how to once again, talk, eat, walk, drive and more. This is the story of a TBI survivor. Through this video you will see Ben's one-year miraculous recovery journey condensed into 30 minutes of still and videos as he went through physical, occupational and speech therapies at Craig Hospital in Denver and Quality Living Inc. (QLI) in Omaha. At the end you'll hear from Ben as he talks about his life, recovery and next life challenges.

We post this video with grateful hearts to God for Ben's survival. To honor all those in the medical profession and the firefighter community who fought for Ben. And for the hundreds and hundreds of people who supported us through prayer, comments, gifts, food, advice, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, listening and just being there for us.

Please write your comments below the video to show your support. If you can use assistance or encouragment with a TBI patient, feel free to contact us through: www.SchultzPhoto.com

Each member of our family of 4 has gone through a life altering tragedy. We wrote a book: SHATTERED DREAMS...Finding Hope in Tragedy. Read the intro and first chapter FREE here: www.schultzphoto.com/store/shattered-dreams-book/

 Jeff and Joan Schultz

Greater Love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning Psalm 30:5

All Comments (21)
  • My husband had a fall from our house roof also hitting a long ladder on the way down. His right frontal lobe was smashed as he hit the cement below. He also had other injuries. He has two brain surgeries & was not expected to live. A month later he miraculously woke from his coma & went on to return to his teaching career!! Praise God for miracles in Ben’s recovery as well as my husbands🙏🙏
  • @sabenwestern
    Thank you for this video. My wife was in a car accident and is still in stage 2. Seeing this gives me hope I will get her back. If you would pray for her I would be very grateful. Her name is Marybeth Western. She is my everything.
  • @dawnlee1155
    Wow No one ever realizes unless you’re in that situation what heroes physical therapist are absolutely amazing🥰
  • Thank you for this amazing video. My son had a traumatic brain injury and Dr's. Gave him little hope and he suffered seizures also. As a mom I never gave up and everyone was praying. Today he has a job working at McDonald's and working on his drivers license.
  • @melaniemeeoow
    The joy on his face when he was with his children was beautiful.
  • @krystal556
    My husband is currently suffering from a severe TBI and is currently in comatose. It’s been a month and 6 days and on Monday he started following commands such as hand squeezing and nodding but not consistently. Still a huge step! They mentioned a shunt is needed and will probably get it done within the next few days. I was terrified to hear the news but your story is bringing me so much hope. He is 29 years old. Thank you so much for sharing. It gives me peace. God bless.
  • @damoneaves
    Ben’s story is amazing. He refused to quit. Absolutely amazing
  • Wow! This young man is amazing!!! He had the determination and the will and stamina to recovery. I am so proud of him. He has an amazing family and staff that helped to meet each milestone. You did it young man and you are incredible!!! ❤️❤️❤️
  • @KUEENOFKUPZ
    My son was in a very bad car accident with very traumatic damage to his brain. He was unresponsive. I am praying right now that my son wakes up. They said they don’t know if he will ever be the same again. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾prayers for my 24 year old son.
  • His recovery is incredible, most people don’t make it this far , that’s just amazing
  • My step mom is in the ICU right now with a traumatic brain bleed she is almost 80 years old, they are saying they don’t think she will make it. She doesn’t know who anyone is and just mumbles nonsense. I’m scared. God please pull her through like you did this man 🙏
  • @thisismzcutie
    ❤ thanks for sharing your miracle story. My son is currently in a coma suffering from anoxic brain injury. With FAITH, PRAYER, AND COVERING he will survive God has confirmed. It’s 4 weeks today he’s young and will be sharing his miracle story and growth with our Lord 🙏🙌🏾… Prayers and continuous blessings to Ben and his family…. God is soooo awesome
  • This is beyond amazing, I'm speechless on what the human body and brain is capable of. This is just..And the family and rehab team and everyone involved, including of course Ben himself, what a job they did, I'm amazed
  • Thank you for making and sharing this video! Our son is currently in ICU Del Seton, Austin after a motorcycle accident. He has suffered a sever TBI and is still fighting his way out of his coma. He just had a drain put in yesterday after having a craniotomy a week after his accident. We are in day 34 and are taking it day by day and hoping for the best. He is fighting hard to survive and we are determined to support him every step of the way. <3 Thank you again for sharing your experience. <3 It is so inspiring to see Ben's recovery! <3 Bravo Ben!! <3 <3 <3
  • I want to thank you, and everyone who has commented on this video with their stories. Due to medical negligence, my life changed forever. Watching videos like these remind me that the world is a challenge for many so I feel less alone and it makes me feel grateful for what I have ❤ thank you ❤
  • @osewhappy
    Ben, after watching your amazing dedication I believe you would make a wonderful trauma counselor. You have traveled the steps few have made. Your experience can be your greatest asset, use it too the full. Help those who may not have the help you had.
  • My heart breaks for this family. To learn they have a special needs daughter and then to have this tragic accident happen to their son, I don’t know what can be worse. Just awful. But in the end, it turned out to be a happy ending after a long road of therapy and the good man above watching over this Firefighter ❤ And the patience, persistence and dedication of the PT’s is AMAZING!!
  • @damoneaves
    I feel so blessed to see this. Thank you so much. An absolute miracle. Unbelievable.
  • @Jo-rr2xs
    Thank you for sharing your story. I live in the UK and suffer from OCD -thank you x
  • Ben, it was incredible to watch your journey! The therapy you did with the Craig staff was fascinating and awe-inspiring to watch. What a skilled team of healthcare professionals! One of my favorite moments was your mom's expression when you raised your arm on command, then reached down to put your hand in the therapist's hands. That made me cry. Best wishes for continued independence and good health. Michelle