A Mississippi teenager is defying expectations after surviving a traumatic brain injury and multiple life-threatening injuries from a January accident. On Jan. 3, 17-year-old Landyn Simmerman was accidentally hit by a vehicle while helping a friend who had wrecked.

Recovery and Determination

Simmerman suffered a broken pelvis, femur, hip, ribs, facial fractures, two collapsed lungs, and a stroke. Doctors performed a craniectomy, removing half of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain. Despite the grim outlook, Simmerman applied his competitive nature to his recovery, amazing his doctors and family.

"He was very determined through this whole thing, even when he was hurting really bad, he was determined to keep going and get better," his mother, Britney Parker, said. Simmerman underwent multiple surgeries, including having a custom skull created to replace the part of his own that was removed.

Although Simmerman does not remember the accident or his time in the hospital, his progress has been remarkable. "We don't take a single breath for granted anymore," Parker said. This fall, Simmerman will start his senior year of high school and is looking forward to returning to normal teenage activities.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.