Season 3 Episode 1: Victoria Night

Author Victoria Night and her son, John Michael join Zach for LAB: The Podcast’s Season 3 premiere. In Victoria’s book, My John 3:16, she shares the heart wrenching details from the day tragedy struck John Michael’s life, altering it forever and destroying his dreams.

On December 14, 2015, John Michael left for school as usual not knowing that within the hour his life would be forever changed. Just a few weeks prior he had just signed his National Letter of Intent to play D1 lacrosse for Mercer University. But at the age of 17, John Michael suffered a massive brainstem stroke that left him locked-in.

This condition known as Locked-In Syndrome (LIS), leaves its victims fully aware and cognizant but unable to move or communicate. He was only able to move his eyes up and down for the first month. Thanks to the generosity of our friends and community, he has, through much intensive therapy, regained movement, had the feeding tube removed, drinks from a straw and his speech is slowly returning.

​After three weeks in an ICU and five and a half months at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, John Michael returned home to continue his therapy. To this day he has speech, occupational, and physical therapy four to five times a week and many other extra treatments and activities to stimulate his brain.

Listen in to hear how far John Michael has come and how their faith has gotten them to today.