Over twenty years, Rodney Hammerstrom’s life was flipped upside down by a tragic event in October 2003. The South Dakota cowboy injured himself while horseriding close to Lennox. He suffered a traumatic brain injury in the horrible accident, which resulted in an instant loss of consciousness and put him in a coma.

The trauma left him completely dependent on others for daily survival. Rodney’s father, Daryl, describes him as “relentless” as he travels around the country to share his story. Today, nearly 20 years after the incident, Rodney has shown that anything is possible if you have a will.

Rodney’s miraculous recovery will leave you stunned

Daryl recalls the devastating horse incident from 2003, saying, “The horse had flopped over with his legs this way,” and tells how, on a chilly October night, he was discovered lying beneath the horse downward. He says that the colt’s heat kept him alive, rather than being in an instant state of shock. Rodney has no recollection of the memory until waking up from a coma around Christmas time.

“When I woke up from that coma, it was years after waking up from that I was able to walk on my own for a distance,” Rodney said. For Hamerstrom, the fight for survival had only begun from there. He had no idea how to even move his tongue or open his eyes. Being with him on the journey, his father proudly says he is a competitor, that keeps him going and not quitting.

Rodney’s recovery has been challenging, as he required three people to stand in the initial days of recovery. His recovery from severe brain injury to strength and movement required intense effort. Most significantly, he never lost interest in his passion. Although his dreams of competing professionally in rodeo failed, he received a prestigious award at the PRCA Rodeo in 2017.

TBI survivor’s story is one of inspiration

The story of inspiration, determination, and perseverance. While we cannot add all that credits his efforts in life, Rodney continues to inspire even today. At the Open Team Penning & Ranch Sorting event held in August 2017 at the Nebraska State Fair, he took part with his father, Daryl, for the first time. In 2017, at the PRCA Rodeo in Rapid City, he received the “Keeping the Faith/True Grit” Award in remembrance of Shane Drury, a professional PRCA bull rider.

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Since 2003, Rodney has come a long way. He expresses gratitude for everything around him and believes he would be a fool to take things for granted. The cowboy now travels around to share his experience with millions of people in his country. He also won the national championships for ranch sorting in 2021. His story is a reminder that life is unpredictable. It also serves as a testament to the human spirit and faith in oneself.

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