Adam Cobb: From Coma to Campus

Adam Cobb, a vibrant Purdue University student, embodies the power of perseverance. Meeting him today, you might never guess that just months ago, he was fighting for his life.

On March 1, 2025 Adam was struck by a car while crossing the street near campus. He remembers nothing of the accident, but the consequences were devastating: a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), a GCS score of 3, and multiple intercapsular hemorrhages. Doctors gave little hope for recovery. After nearly 20 days in a coma, Adam began a long road back—first at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI), where intensive therapy helped him walk again with minimal assistance. But Adam wasn’t content to stop there.

Determined to push beyond expectations, Adam set his sights on returning to Purdue. Like many neurological injury survivors, his insurance-covered PT visits ran out just as he was making progress. Thanks to the donors and supporters that make our extended care programs possible, Adam found the bridge he needed to continue therapy at the DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center Powered by NeuroHope during the critical months after his injury.

Here, he’s been working tirelessly toward his goals. One milestone has been especially meaningful: relearning to dribble a basketball. “At first, I literally couldn’t dribble at all,” Adam said. “And now I can do over 100 dribbles!” For a right-handed player recovering from a left-side brain injury, this achievement reflects extraordinary dedication.

Adam’s mother shares how proud she is of his persistence, especially as he adapts to college life with new challenges. “It’s hard for Adam to use the resources at the Disability Resource Center at Purdue because he’s never used them before,” she explained. Learning new strategies, advocating for himself, and balancing therapy with classes has been a vital part of his recovery.

Today, Adam is back on campus, taking two classes, working on driving again, and determined to one day move back into his fraternity house. He’s exploring his interest in business and building toward a full return to college life.

“My biggest goal is to be physically back to normal, like how I used to be,” Adam shared. “I want to be able to do the things I used to do, and just have everything be good again.”

With his determination and the support of the NeuroHope team, there’s no doubt Adam will continue to exceed expectations. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of our mission!