Helping Hands: Freehold man's long recovery after crash
Steph Solis
@stephmsolis
Editor's note: This is an installment in the Asbury Park Press' "Helping Hands" series, in which we publish the stories of those at the Shore who find themselves in need and ask our readers to provide what help they can.
Snowflakes started falling as Shakir Hodsoll sat up in his hospital bed one February afternoon, nursing a swollen eye and stitched-up cranium.
Hodsoll, 25, had been confined to his bed for most of his stay at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where surgeons reinserted a part of his skull over his brain, along with a metal plate.
All he could think about was getting back to the routines he followed six months earlier, back when he juggled two jobs and took walks with his son and fiancee. Back when he wrote down lyrics and composed rap songs.
"It's been a long time," the Freehold resident said. "I've been in the hospital just laying up six months, I think, so it's kind of hard to not really do anything all day because I like to be active."
The latest surgery marked the six-month anniversary of the severe car crash that killed three and left Hodsoll with a traumatic brain injury. Hodsoll's family is trying to raise money for him to offset the medical bills and help him get a car so he can return to work.
Hodsoll was driving his Toyota Camry on Kozloski Road in Freehold Township in August when a Honda Pilot landed on top of his vehicle. A 2009 Volkswagen Jetta heading south on Kozloski had veered into the northbound lane, colliding with the Pilot, which went airborne and landed on Hodsoll's Camry, according to reports.
The drivers of the Pilot and the Jetta, along with a passenger in the Jetta, were killed. Hodsoll was flown via helicopter to a nearby hospital for brain surgery, which resulted in a medically induced coma that lasted several days.
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There he started what would become several months of rehabilitation treatment and surgeries. Hodsoll has had to relearn how to walk, how to retain his memories and recollect them.
"It was extremely painful, but I kept persevering with the help of my physical therapists, who were awesome to work with," Hodsoll wrote on a GoFundMe page his mother set up for him.
Before the accident, he worked as a contractor delivering car parts during the day and picked up night shifts at a P.F. Chang's restaurant. He said he was on his way to deliver a boxful of parts when the accident happened.
Now his father cooks for him and washes his clothes, while his fiancee, Lanie, takes care of their son.
His mother, Lejoy Daniels, said one of the biggest challenges for her son has been coming to terms with how dependent he is.
"It's just been difficult for him because he's very independent, and he wants that (independence) back," said Daniels. "With that being said, that being stripped from him, it's very hard for him."
Hodsoll said he still struggles to process his thoughts, but his memories and overall functions have improved since the accident.
Now Hodsoll attends rehabilitation sessions about three times a week. He has started taking walks again with his son, Nasir. He moved into his father's house during his recovery but now helps out with chores around the house. He started using Facebook again, posting pictures of himself and his family.
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Hodsoll said his biggest concern is getting back to work, but he can't afford a new car. His insurance didn't cover the cost of the Camry after it was declared a total loss.
Daniels launched the GoFundMe site in hopes of offsetting the staggering medical costs but so far has struggled to meet the fundraising goal of $150,000. As of Friday afternoon, she had raised about $5,000.
"He's a fighter, and he's in good spirits," Daniels said of her son. "He doesn't play negative."
Steph Solis: 732-643-4043; ssolis@app.com
If you want to help Shakir Hodsoll and his family, donations will be accepted through their GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/helpshakir.
Do you know someone who could use help, with anything from food to clothing donations to needed home repairs?
If their needs can be verified through a Shore area nonprofit, they could be selected to have their story published in our "Helping Hands" series, and we'll ask readers to pitch in and provide.
Email Regional Director of Engagement Alesha Williams Boyd at awilliams@app.com with the subject line "Helping Hands" or call 732-643-4215 to help us connect those in need with the help they need.