JFK Johnson Brain Injury Patient Throws First Pitch

A truly unforgettable moment that touched the hearts of everyone present and left a lasting impact on all who witnessed it, Tydell Watson, Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute Brain Injury patient throws first pitch at the May 18th Somerset Patriots baseball game.

In 2019, Tydell Watson experienced swelling in his brain and seizures that caused loss of movement in his legs, difficulty with upper body control and problems with memory. Ty was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalopathy — a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks brain cells and causes inflammation. He spent several months in the hospital and in rehabilitation before making a complete recovery. But Ty’s condition recurred, causing a second event in March 2022 at age 30. This time he turned to the team at JFK University Medical Center and the Center for Brain Injuries at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute for the comprehensive care he needed to make a second recovery.

Supported by a team of medical professionals and surrounded by his family, friends, and the roaring crowd, Tydell Watson confidently stepped onto the pitcher's mound. It was a symbolic representation of his ongoing battle and the immense progress he has made in his recovery.