Rural man works his way back from a brain injury at Quad Cities Rehabilitation Hospital

Mike Sedam has driven Pettibone Avenue in Muscatine hundreds of times. But Feb. 26 was different. “I don’t remember the whole incident because the injury pretty much blanked me out,” the 41-year-old said. What Sedam can’t recall is about 6:15 that morning, driving to a Muscatine job site. It was raining, the fog was thick and an endloader was in front of him. Somehow, his vehicle wound up under one of the machine’s tires. The whole roof on his vehicle collapsed, crushing his skull. He was taken by ambulance to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine.

One month after suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the rural Milan iron worker has gained most of his skills back. His memory still is recovering, but the physical, occupational and speech therapy he’s getting through the Quad Cities Rehabilitation Institute is bringing him back. He sat beside her in a chair at the rehab institute on Friday. His brown boots were covered by a pair of well-worn jeans. In his lap was a white construction helmet with straps. He’s required to wear it when walking to prevent injury in case of a fall. When he’s wearing it, his scars are hardly visible. On his chest was a green and blue ribbon his sister made for him. The green represents brain injury awareness and the blue TBI awareness. His wife wore one to match.

March has always been important to the couple — their anniversary is March 17. But now, it has a whole new meaning. “This will be forever with us,” Sedam said.

While he doesn’t remember much about the crash, he said it feels as if he’s living in a movie. Hearing what happened to him and reading the reports still are surreal. When he wakes up in the morning, though, he reaches up to touch the scar on the left side of his head. It’s his reminder of the crash and of his will to survive.

Learn more at Quad City Times, https://qctimes.com/news/local/this-will-forever-be-with-us—rural-milan-man-works-his-way-back/