After sustaining a severe brain injury in an accident the road to recovery seemed almost impossible for Kyle at first glance. I can only imagine what Kyle's parents and family must have been going through in those early moments after the accident, and the days that followed. Kyle's mom, Joan Pinelli blogged about his accident, and continued on in the days, weeks, and months ahead as they progressed through Kyle's recovery. What I learned was that this is a very tenaciously competitive family with a "never give up" attitude. They faced the challenges together, and fought through. Kyle spent the majority of his recovery phase at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Shepherd Center's primary goal is helping people who have suffered severe brain and spinal cord injury to return to the best quality of life possible. One of the therapies that they realized was very helpful to Kyle was music therapy, and they took full advantage of it. Along with all of the treatments, physical therapies, music therapy was also very key in his recovery process as it helped him on his recovery to communicate.

Kyle's recovery is beyond remarkable. I was completely blown away when we went to photograph him for a patient profile to be featured in Shepherd's publication: Spinal Column  if you would like to read the article featuring Kyle. Before his accident Kyle, a rising high school junior, was an avid motocross racer and enthusiast. I was not expecting to experience what I did for his photo session. The pictures will speak for themselves.

Kyle is living a very independent life. He graduated high school, is currently attending a NASCAR school in North Carolina to become a mechanic, and although he is not racing anymore he is back to riding his bike!  Recently, his brother, Alex treated him to a very special TECH N9NE concert, and it looks like Kyle had a very enjoyable and memorable evening with his brother! What a remarkable recovery, and what a bright future for this young man!

NOVA Family Photographer Teresa ArthurGuy listening to music wearing headphones. Music Therapy in brain trauma victims NOVA Motocross Fan and former competitorPortrait by Teresa Arthur Photography in Warrenton, Virginia PinelliK-269 PinelliK-288 PinelliK-329 PinelliK-424 PinelliK-485-2 PinelliK-663 Athlete Portrait Photograph by Teresa Arthur PhotographyLifestyle portraits by Teresa Arthur Photography PinelliK-207