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Feb 19, 2021
3 min

What Does “Simplicity” Mean?

"Simplicity" is an idea I have strived to achieve since the beginning of my illness. On May 24, 2017 I was admitted to the hospital with...

1,711 views2 comments

Jacob Haendel

Jan 23, 2021
4 min

A Day In The Life of Jacob

“What does your daily routine look like Jacob, if you can’t move or really do much?” you might ask... Well, let me tell you. Each day,...

10,060 views3 comments

Simplistic Joys Of Life: Coming Back From Locked-In Syndrome

Jacob Haendel

Oct 24, 2020
4 min

Simplistic Joys Of Life: Coming Back From Locked-In Syndrome

When I first was able to use a Megabee, just communicating with people was amazing. Being able to express my needs was a gift...

3,989 views3 comments

Hypoxic Hallucinations: Realizations and Reflections

Jacob Haendel

Oct 3, 2020
6 min

Hypoxic Hallucinations: Realizations and Reflections

Even before I was discharged back to MassGeneral Hospital from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital-Cambridge for many other...

3,951 views2 comments

Jacob Haendel

Sep 12, 2020
8 min

My Experiences with Everyday Technology

Around the time when I was non-verbal and crossing over to early communication, Apple products began to play an invaluable role in my...

2,084 views0 comments

Surgery Storytime: My Fingers Have Eyelashes

Jacob Haendel

Aug 28, 2020
10 min

Surgery Storytime: My Fingers Have Eyelashes

Tomorrow morning, on the 5th, I’ll be woken up at 4:45 am to get ready to travel by ambulance to the Wang Building at MGH. I’ll be having su

14,882 views0 comments

Jacob Haendel

Aug 15, 2020
7 min

Misunderstood: Life Without a Voice

I have been misunderstood since August 2017, about three months after my diagnosis of Toxic Acute Leukoencephalopathy. Even though I can now

3,523 views2 comments

The Path of Destruction Caused by Opiates

Jacob Haendel

Aug 9, 2020
9 min

The Path of Destruction Caused by Opiates

On May 11, 2014, I headed from Boston to Philadelphia for my Pop-Pop’s 90th birthday celebration with my girlfriend and sister. On the way..

12,837 views0 comments

Locked-In Syndrome: An inside look at an out-of-body experience

Jacob Haendel

Jul 25, 2020
6 min

Locked-In Syndrome: An inside look at an out-of-body experience

Spending a year and a half being locked in, then virtually locked in and finally nonverbal, I had so much time with personal introspective..

44,574 views12 comments

Jacob Haendel

Jul 18, 2020
5 min

Rationalization, Regret, and Redemption

Most addicts believe the worst that can physically happen to them is being in a jail, an overdose, being in a vegetative state or “brain dea

8,021 views0 comments

Jacob Haendel

Jul 11, 2020
6 min

My Hustler Past

6,614 views5 comments

Today’s 1 Year Anniversary: Western Mass Hospital

Jacob Haendel

Jul 9, 2020
2 min

Today’s 1 Year Anniversary: Western Mass Hospital

One year ago today, on July 9, 2019, I had a small "see ya later" party with the rehabilitation team at Western Massachusetts Hospital....

5,598 views2 comments

If I were you, I'd stay away from opiates and here's why

Jacob Haendel

Jul 4, 2020
6 min

If I were you, I'd stay away from opiates and here's why

In early 2017, I was working full-time as a chef and living a fast lifestyle. Doing and selling drugs, partying at night with my friends at

30,995 views39 comments

Home: Blog2

ABOUT JACOB

My name is Jacob Haendel. Not only am I a survivor of Stage 4 Toxic Acute Progressive Leukoencephalopathy (TAPL) and Locked-In Syndrome, I'm also the only documented recovery from TAPL. I'm here to share my story about overcoming addiction and surviving a terminal progressive disease.

My hope is to motivate others who may be facing any challenges in life and inspire people going through all types of recovery.

Follow along on my journey back to health!