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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...

Jacob Haendel

Feb 19, 20213 min read

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,...

Jacob Haendel

Jan 23, 20214 min read

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...

Jacob Haendel

Oct 24, 20204 min read

Hypoxic Hallucinations: Realizations and Reflections

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

Jacob Haendel

Oct 3, 20206 min read

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...

Jacob Haendel

Sep 12, 20208 min read

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

Jacob Haendel

Aug 28, 202010 min read

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

Jacob Haendel

Aug 15, 20207 min read

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..

Jacob Haendel

Aug 9, 20209 min read

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..

Jacob Haendel

Jul 25, 20206 min read

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

Jacob Haendel

Jul 18, 20205 min read

My Hustler Past

Jacob Haendel

Jul 11, 20206 min read

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....

Jacob Haendel

Jul 9, 20202 min read

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

Jacob Haendel

Jul 4, 20206 min read

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!