TJ Lavin, the pro BMX-er and host of The Challenge who severely injured himself during a stunt on Oct. 14, is now conscious, talking and even walking, according to MTV News.The 33-year-old veteran rider was placed into a medically induced coma after sustaining serious injuries during the failed trick that became the dramatic end of his last ever ride.
He suffered bleeding on the brain as well as a facial fracture and broken wrist, and was intubated on a ventilator.
Chas Aday, Lavin’s buddy, manager and business partner, has been at his side overseeing his slow recuperation, watching on anxiously for days while his friend was unresponsive in a coma.
Aday said Lavin seems to understand he is injured and in hospital. He told MTV News, “Getting him better, that’s our goal,” and shared how relieved he was to see the athlete slowly recover.
"He was able to walk down the hall with assistance this morning," Aday said. "He's having surgery on his wrist tomorrow, and he'll be going to a rehab facility after that to get the brain back to normal.
"The doctors have told us he'll make a full recovery," he added. "It's a matter of how long that's going to take, we don't know."
Lavin’s fans keep sending supportive get-well messages, and colleagues on The Challenge sent him an official shout-out on last Wednesday’s episode.
"I know he's aware of the support he's had from the people coming to visit him," Aday told MTV News. "I don't think he's aware of the people following him and what's going on outside the hospital.”