A New Life in Knoxville: Former Patient Joins College Baseball Team

Grayson Pope

Baseball has been part of Grayson Pope’s life since he was three years old. 

“When he was about four, we were playing travel ball and they toured the University of Tennessee baseball facility,” recalls Grayson’s mom, Jamie Pope. “While we were walking back to the car, he said he’d play ball there one day when he got big.” 

Grayson, 19, graduated high school in May with a 3.9 GPA and started attending the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville as part of its baseball team this past summer. Although he’s not playing on the team, he will be helping them in a coaching role, living in the dorms, exercising with the team, and making lasting memories. 

“It means so much to be on the baseball team,” Grayson says. “They have been so supportive of me since my accident and being able to give back and help out with the program means the world.” 

On June 6, 2023, while playing golf with friends, a pop-up storm hit the course. As Grayson drove back toward the clubhouse, a large oak tree fell on him, causing a severe traumatic brain injury. 

He spent 42 days in UAB Hospital’s ICU in a coma before transferring to Shepherd Center’s Disorders of Consciousness Program. After four days, he moved to the inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. While Grayson’s dad and grandparents stayed in family housing provided by Shepherd Center to families and patients who live more than 50 miles from the hospital, Jamie stayed by his side in his hospital room. 

“I didn’t want to miss any milestones," Jamie remembers. "When we got there, he was like an infant. By the end of the first week, he was holding his head up. By the time he left inpatient and started the outpatient program, he was walking.” 

Grayson’s team of doctors, nurses, and therapists worked with him to incorporate baseball into his therapy. He recalls practicing on the Zero-G Gait and Balance System for safe mobility training. 

“I practiced hitting a ball and running while I was attached to the Zero-G," he says. "It has straps that can control the tension and helped me stand up without falling.” 

The recreation therapy team also took Grayson to a Braves game, where they toured the facility and met some players. “It was a great experience,” Jamie says. “There’s so much hope at Shepherd. They made me feel like Grayson was their only patient, and I know he wasn't. They will forever have a special place in my family’s heart.” 

By the time Grayson completed the inpatient program, he was able to walk again. After, he began Shepherd Pathways, an outpatient brain injury rehabilitation program, where there was an intensive focus on making sure he was ready to return to day-to-day life and school. 

Despite the challenges he faced, Grayson discharged from Shepherd on Nov. 17, 2023, able to function independently again. He returned to Shepherd the next summer for Project Rollway.

"He got to go pick out his outfit he got to wear. They had food and entertainment. What was really neat was we hadn't seen a lot of our therapists, especially ones from inpatient, for a while,” Jamie says. “We got to reunite with all of them and show off our kiddo. Up on the stage, the world stopped revolving for a split second, and he enjoyed that moment." 

Grayson shares his mom’s sentiment. 

"It was fun seeing all my therapists, doctors, and nurses again,” he says. “They were able to see how far I had come. Being on stage was fun, but I enjoyed seeing everyone more." 

Grayson went on to continue therapy closer to home, while finishing his junior and senior years of high school on time with his friends. 

“Baseball taught me you will fail more than you will succeed, but that is okay. Never give up, and you will learn from it and get better the next day,” Grayson reflects. “I am excited to start the next chapter of my life at UT.” 

Written by Damjana Alverson