Ahad Israfil

Ahad Israfil (August 23, 1972 – October 18, 2019) was an American man known for his recovery from a gunshot injury that destroyed most of his right cerebral hemisphere.

Injury In 1987, at age 14, Ahad was shot in the head at work when his employer allegedly knocked a firearm to the floor. After a five-hour operation, doctors were amazed when he attempted to speak.

The bullet destroyed brain tissue and damaged half of his skull, but the skin of his scalp survived. The void in his skull was filled in with silicone by Dr. James Apesos. Repairs to his scalp allowed the regrowth of hair, giving him a fairly normal appearance.

Life post-injury Ahad used a wheelchair and regained most of his faculties and successfully obtained a degree.

Ahad died on October 18, 2019, at Mary Scott Nursing Center.