Josh Bonjo

FB 2014 Program Pages
4/17/14
4:33 PM
Page 3
AWARD RECIPIENT
Josh Bonjo
Traumatic Brain Injury
Josh Bonjo was an intelligent and inquisitive child who entered school at four and
a half. He had an early interest in technology and an aptitude for languages. He
loved computer games and reading, and would study Japanese and later, computer sciences.
December 12, 2010 was the day that changed everything for this young man
and his family. Nineteen year old Joshua was in a car accident and had sustained
a traumatic brain injury that jolted him so severely he suffered from “shaken
impact syndrome” – an injury similar to shaken baby syndrome. Unconscious and
intubated at the scene, Josh was rushed to the new Level II Trauma Center at
Paoli Hospital. He would be their first trauma patient. He spent nearly a month
in Paoli Hospital’s intensive care unit in a medically-induced coma. “We were told
so many times to expect the worst,” his mother said. “He couldn’t move and he
had breathing and feeding tubes in him to keep him alive. It was a nightmare.”
She said her son “occasionally opened his eyes or squeezed her hand in response
to a question, but most of the time he didn’t respond to us at all.”
Upon awakening he was moved to Bryn
Mawr Rehab Hospital where he remained
for nearly six months in their inpatient brain
injury unit. His therapy focused on cognition, strength and mobility, psychosocial
skills, communication, activities of daily living, and preparation for returning home.
His parents, Darling and Mike, and his sister
8
Rose, practically lived at the hospital
and were Josh’s greatest cheerleaders. They set up a blog in Josh’s
name so that family and friends
could follow his journey toward further recovery.
Josh and his family met with Scott Dillman in October 2012 after his outpatient
therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital had been reduced. They were thrilled to
be able to start Fighting Back right away. Josh’s efforts are geared toward his
overall upper body strength and balance. Josh enjoys working out twice a week
with his trainer, Tim Mackey, along with other continued physical and speech
therapies.
Josh’s smile and cheerful demeanor light up the gym. He is a model of hard
work and perseverance, and we are extremely proud to honor him tonight for his
accomplishments.
Do not let what you
cannot do interfere
with what you can do.
9