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Traumatic Brain Injury
From Bedridden to Walking to Running
The recovery of boxer John Famechon.
Posted December 13, 2024 Reviewed by Kaja Perina
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In August 1991, former World Boxing Champion John Famechon sustained severe brain injuries when, as a pedestrian, he was struck by a car reportedly travelling at 100 kph (62 mph). In October 1992, he was discharged from the hospital, where doctors informed him, he would likely never walk or talk again. In December 1993, John began a new, complex brain-based multi-movement rehabilitation program, which helped him to begin to regain a condition close to his pre-accident state.
It was time to start the walk and explore if John could run. This began with John and me walking from the rumpus room to the kitchen. Glenys was in the kitchen. I told Glenys what we were going to try to do. It was a cold, wet Victorian day. It had rained, but it was no longer raining. I held firmly on to John. Even with this taking place, John was walking independently. Once outside, we reached the location where this attempt at running was to begin.
I explained to John that we would start with a slow walk, and with each step, I would call on John to lift his knees as high and fast as he could. All the while, I would be holding on to John on his left side. It was time to begin. As John began to walk, I encouraged John to lift each knee as high as possible and as fast as possible. John responded accordingly. It took a great deal of effort, but John was doing it. I then asked John to step and stretch forward as much as possible. John again responded accordingly. As John stretched, he was continually physically and mentally extending himself. I then asked John to shorten the steps and asked him to move quicker, which is what he did.
This immediately progressed to where John was now running. It was March 1994, and John was running. John was running!!!
Remembering again when, in October 1992, on the day John was formally released from the hospital, John and Glenys were medically informed that he would never walk or talk again. And what was it that was taking place now? John was running, John was running!!!
Running is defined as the condition where both feet are simultaneously off the ground. John ran for about 10 metres. We then turned around, followed the same procedure, and ran back to where we began. “That’s great, John. That’s really, really great, very special, John, very special indeed!” John instantly replied, “I know, no need to shout.” John’s humour and ability to understand personal and social complexity were profound.
With this extraordinary achievement now in place, I said to John, "Glenys needs to see this.” John mischievously responded: “You’re a skite.” Meaning that I was being boastful. I replied: “I think Glenys would like to see this.” “You’re big-noting now.” This meant I was again being boastful and also drawing attention to myself.
To this rapid retort by John, I replied, “John, you are right; of course, I am. Look at what you’ve achieved. Here I am. I’m standing next to the Featherweight Champion of the World. I’m also with the World Champion of irony and the Champ of rehabilitation. So, of course, I’m going to big note myself!” John smiled. “Good response,” said John quietly. John was brilliantly perceptive and unrelenting with this humour. John had a very powerful mind, and his insights were extraordinary. This was evident when I first met John and Glenys on December 11, 1993. On that day, I spent three hours conversing with John, astounded by his insights and becoming exhausted from the laughter I was experiencing with his amazing and unrelenting humour and unexpected, profound irony.
Here we were, we were standing next to a rail fence on this cold and wet Victorian day. I asked John to stand and wait while I was going to walk into the kitchen and ask Glenys to have a look at what had just taken place. “Are you going to leave me here all alone?” asked John. With a thought of concern, I replied, “Well, yes, yes, I am, John, if that’s okay with you?” John’s response was immediate. “Good, get on with it. What are you waiting for?” I was silent for a moment. I did not move. I began to laugh. John had done it again. I was still laughing; I turned and walked into the kitchen. As I was walking towards the kitchen, John called out: “Take your time!” I turned, and looked at John; he was smiling. I then laughed even louder. The Champ was The Champ.
Once in the kitchen, I excitedly explained to Glenys what had just happened, and I asked Glenys to join us. “Of course,” was her immediate reply. We were both very excited. Glenys was beaming. Together, we walked out of the kitchen onto the wet back concrete patio. I asked Glenys to walk over to the location, which was the end of the patio and the end of the running distance. I then walked over to John.
As I supported John, holding him on the left side. I explained to John what we were going to do. “I know, you’ve already told me,” said John. “Of course, you’re right.” “I know, let’s get on with it.” “Let’s do it,” I said. “More action and less talk,” said John. There was no need to say anything else. John and I began to walk towards Glenys. Slowly at first, but as each step became shorter and faster, John was running, and he ran the ten metres, with more speed this time, into the arms of Glenys.
When John and I reached Glenys, we all hugged and jumped and cried and laughed and cried some more as we continued to hug, shouting with joy as we laughed and cried some more. Eventually, with tears still streaming down our faces, laughing and crying at the same time, we began to walk into the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, Glenys said: “Okay, boys, go back into the rumpus room, and I’ll be there soon with our refreshments. We made our way to the rumpus room. John was walking independently. I was walking behind John as we made our way down the sloping passage. As we entered the rumpus room, we walked to our respective chairs and sat down, John in his chair and me in my chair. Glenys soon arrived with the refreshments. She placed everything on the small table. Glenys then sat next to John. The three of us then sat and enjoyed the lunch that Glenys had prepared. We, of course, talked about the wonderful achievement that had just taken place. What a great day, what a wonderful day.
