NEW YORK - Aboubakar Konate says it started with a severe headache that just wouldn’t go away. He tried to ignore it and even went out to play a game of pickup basketball at his local playground in Morris Heights.

“After that I fell like three times,” said the 19-year-old.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Aboubakar Konate thought he was having a bad headache, but it was actually brain aneurysm 

  • After brain injury, he could not talk or walk

  • The Bronx teen has regained some of his communication skills

  • As part of his therapy sessions, in school, Aboubakar likes to learn about history and politics

His mother told NY1, he suffered a brain aneurysm as he played. The other kids called for help and he was rushed to a hospital. His family had no idea where he was. He was 17 years old and didn’t have any identification on him. It took hours for police and the family to find him.

“My son was in a coma for three days,” said his mother, Salimata Konate.

That was back in March of 2018. When he regained consciousness, the prognosis for his future was bleak. The brain injury left him with aphasia, a language disorder that affects the ability to understand or express speech.

“He didn’t talk for a month. He didn’t walk,” said his mother. 

Aboubakar says he was so traumatized about what happened to him, he avoided the playground for nearly a year.

Since then, the teen has made great strides. 

He has been undergoing physical and speech therapy at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Westchester County.

“He has grown so much in his expressive language skills,” said Speech Pathologist, Stephanie Sala. 

Aside from therapy, the teen also attends school at the hospital, including one of his favorite classes, social studies.

Aboubakar has taken such a liking to politics, the staff makes it a part of his rehabilitation sessions.

“Aboubukar and I are focusing on researching the candidates and the topics that are of importance to him,” said Sala.

Voting is also important to him, which is why his teachers and therapist helped him to register to vote for the first time. The importance of this election is not lost on him, he even watched the recent presidential debate.

“Terrible. It’s terrible,” he said laughing.

He will be making his voice heard in November. 

It is just one of the many ways he is reclaiming is his future.