‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah

Hi, my name is Kel Mabatah, Founder & President of The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation and I’m a brain injury survivor of over 9 years that is now thriving. On December 3, 2014, I was the victim of a brutal attack suffering a severe traumatic brain injury and several injuries to my body. This attack left me fully paralyzed on my right side and affected my ability to speak. A group of evil people tried to end my life for unknown reasons. To this day, we still don't know who or why they targeted me. It’s a mystery. During the attack, they fractured my skull as they hit me with the butt of a rifle and other things. This attack to my head also affected my mouth, by the attackers breaking and knocking out some of my teeth. They continued to attack me while I lay unconscious, stabbing me in my torso. Consequently, I have lost some hearing in my left ear and even now there’s a constant loud ring, but I have gotten used to it. Once I was rescued, I was taken to the hospital where I was in a coma for six days. The first of four brain surgeries occurred there in Nigeria, where the attack happened. The other three were in Houston, after I was stabilized for about a week once I woke up from my coma and was flown back to the United States. That first brain surgery saved my life.

Once I was in Houston, I was taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest and had a second brain surgery. From there I was admitted to TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital right around Christmas time. When I was first admitted to TIRR, I became sick and it was determined something was still not well with my brain so I was sent to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center for a third brain surgery. Thankfully I recovered well and was readmitted to TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in January 2015 and began my recovery journey. I had to learn how to walk, talk, and use my right arm again. In the summer of 2015, I had a fourth and final brain surgery to replace the part of my skull that was taken out during my third brain surgery. In addition to my several brain surgeries, I also had two oral surgeries to fix my damaged and missing teeth from the attack. My physical recovery is still a work in progress with no movement yet in my right hand/fingers, and other parts of my right foot. As of today, I’m able to grasp somewhat, but I can’t release nor move any of my fingers individually. My therapists tell me that fine motor skills – like grasp and release – can be the last thing that comes back, and when it will come back, only God knows. I still go to TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Outpatient at Kirby Glen. I can't say enough about what TIRR Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital and Outpatient Rehabilitation have done for me and my recovery. After all I went through, I never thought I would be doing the things I can, and neither did they. As a Houston native, I had never heard of TIRR before I needed it. During my time at TIRR, I have seen miracles happen, and what they are doing for me is a miracle too.

A year ago, or even six months ago, I wasn’t able to speak as clearly as I do now. To this day I still suffer from partial paralysis on my right side, need to wear an AFO (brace) on my right leg.

It took me a while to realize this, but I truly think God allowed this to happen and knew that I had what it takes to recover the way I am, when I didn’t know I had it, to help and motivate others out there as well and show his power and grace. I wasn’t supposed to survive. I’m not supposed to be recovering the way I am despite my physical issues that I struggle with every day but somehow, someway, I’m in better shape than a lot of healthy able-bodied people. As a friend said to me, “If God meant for all this to happen to touch even one soul in any way, it was all worth it.” 

In January 2020, I started The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation, to help others impacted by traumatic brain injuries. Since starting my foundation, we have raised and awarded over $100,000 to benefit survivors of traumatic brain injuries and help them in their journeys to recovery. My foundation looks forward to helping other traumatic brain injury survivors and their families have success in their recovery just like I’m having success in my own recovery for many years to come!

-Kel Mabatah, Founder & President of The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation