A young Australian man found unconscious on a remote road in Lombok, Indonesia, is learning to walk again after suffering a severe brain injury. Jaxen Day, 23, was discovered by a fisherman in the early hours of April 23 during his first solo holiday traveling through Asia.
Discovery and Medical Ordeal
According to his best friend Luka Jackway, who set up a GoFundMe campaign, Day was turned away from two medical clinics before a third recognized the seriousness of his condition. Nearly 12 hours after being found, he was transported by ambulance to a hospital three hours away.
Day had no visible injuries, and the cause of his collapse remains unknown. Doctors described the trauma as similar to extreme shaking, with all damage internal. He underwent emergency life-saving surgery and was in a coma in the ICU.
Family's Frantic Search
Day's father, Allan, learned of his son's hospitalization through a social media message from a hostel manager. He and his wife rushed to Lombok to be by Jaxen's bedside. Allan said the neurosurgeon showed them scans indicating the damage could only be caused by severe shaking, as there was no external trauma.
Day has since been discharged from the hospital after three weeks and is now recovering in Bali. A video shared by Jackway shows Day waking up in a hospital bed, able to mumble his name when asked.
Recovery and Challenges
Day still cannot use his right arm but has regained some movement in his leg. He faces balance issues, a non-functioning right arm, a brain injury, and a fractured left collarbone. Despite this, his determination to walk is inspiring, according to Jackway.
Without travel insurance, the Day family faces high hospital bills in Indonesia and rehabilitation costs when Jaxen returns to Australia. The GoFundMe campaign aims to cover medical care, ongoing treatment, medical transport home, and long-term recovery.
Jackway described Day as a quiet, determined young man who recently completed studies to teach English as a foreign language. He had been traveling through Asia with plans to teach in Cambodia.
