Chatham Man Details Recovery From Hit-And-Run Crash In New Book

CHATHAM, NJ — After being seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash, Chatham resident Charles Jijon faced a long road to recovery. He also got to writing, and has released a book about his journey, called "Titanium: The Path to Recovery."

Jijon was out for a bike ride in Sept. 2015 when he was hit by a hit-and-run driver and left injured on the side of the road. Over his two year recovery, he faced multiple surgeries, setbacks, and surprises, which the self-professed "intently private person" chronicled in his book.

“What happened to me can happen to anyone. Surviving the crash wasn’t enough. I had to cope with
additional emotional, physical, and financial assaults on my person. Luckily, I didn’t have to do it alone.
Despite being an intensely private person, my friends and caretakers broke down that wall and helped
me get through it," Jijon said. "Recovery is not a solo event. Most of us have no idea what to expect in the
aftermath of a major trauma. I wrote this book because I want to change that.”

According to a press release:

Titanium: The Path to Recovery tells the story of Charles’ own path to recovery: his multiple surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, insurance issues and how he learned to appreciate his friends and caretakers. In this gripping memoir, we learn how Charles’ dealt with the challenges he faced, how he survived mentally and physically, and how he navigated the complex insurance system. This book delivers useful advice, gritty surgical details, humor, and insight into what it takes to survive an unexpected injury. It is an encouraging story of recovery, friendship and life.

Written against the backdrop of the 2016 presidential election and subsequent national healthcare debate, Titanium: The Path to Recovery is a timely book that underscores a universal truth: we all need help from time to time.

To buy the book in paperback or Kindle versions, visit Amazon.

Images via Irene Cortes