He wanted to walk again. Hoag helped him take the next step.

High school graduation is a life moment many teenagers never forget. For Jesse Hayes, the event represented something even more meaningful—a recovery milestone he’d been working toward for months.

“Being able to walk across the stage unassisted to accept my diploma was an emotional moment,” he says, “and one filled with so much gratitude.”

After a horrific accident involving his electric bicycle left him with a traumatic brain injury, Jesse spent several months working to regain his mobility with the help of Hoag’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Services program in Newport Beach.

“While Jesse was able to follow us with his eyes and signal ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ he still wasn’t walking and relied heavily on a wheelchair,” says his mom, Kasey. “He couldn’t eat solid foods or speak without becoming exhausted. But once we arrived at Hoag, all of that began to change.”

Hoag’s comprehensive rehabilitation services play an integral role in helping patients with neurologic conditions achieve their highest level of function. Over the next several months, Jesse worked closely with the team of physical and occupational therapists including Mike Greenbaum, PT, and Sam Bernier, OTD.

Though he struggled at times to push past the fatigue and tremors—involuntary movements associated with brain damage—he remained determined in his recovery. His biggest goal was being able to walk again unassisted.

“Mike and the team were always so supportive and encouraging,” Jesse says. “They all had so much belief in my healing, and that inspired me to keep going.”

That encouragement became a defining aspect of Jesse’s rehabilitation, helping him build confidence while continuing to make progress—one session at a time.

“The dedication from Hoag is unlike anything we’ve experienced,” his mom says. “Every session is thoughtful, individualized, and purposeful. When we think Jesse has hit a plateau, they see more in him. They push him further, but with kindness and compassion.”

With the support of his care team, Jesse was able to complete his English, economics, and remaining high school requirements, and graduate with his senior class.

Since receiving his diploma, he continues to work toward a life of independence. Jesse is currently enrolled in classes at a community college and has become an advocate for e-bike safety. Speaking to an audience of over a thousand families, law enforcement personnel and advocates earlier this year, he emphasized the need for stricter e-bike safety laws amid rising accidents throughout Orange County and the United States.

“I just spoke from the bottom of my heart,” Jesse says of the experience. “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from this is to believe in myself. I can still be the person I want to be.”

Learn more about rehabilitation services and programs offered at Hoag.