Moment's - Kel's Story
After surviving a brutal attack in 2014 that left him with a severe traumatic brain injury, Kel Mabatah transformed his recovery into a mission to help others. Despite being told he would never walk, talk, or live independently again, Kel defied the odds and founded The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation in 2020. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $350,000 to provide rehabilitation scholarships, advocacy, and recovery support for individuals and families impacted by traumatic brain injuries.
The 'Kel Strong' Mabatah Foundation Gala Changes Lives For Brain Injury Survivors
Featured on Great Day Houston, The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation shared how its annual gala brings the community together to support brain injury survivors. Funds raised help provide rehabilitation scholarships, adaptive fitness programs, and renewed hope throughout the recovery journey.
Great Day Houston, April 14, 2026
Kel Strong on Great Day Houston
Kel Mabatah shares his inspiring journey of overcoming a life-altering brain injury, becoming a professional bodybuilder, and founding The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation to support others impacted by traumatic brain injuries.
Houston man overcomes traumatic brain injury, relearned to walk, talk to become bodybuilder
Kel Mabatah was told he would never walk or talk again after a traumatic brain injury due to being attacked while visiting family in Nigeria. After four risky brain surgeries, he's pushed himself to take care of his body and has become a professional bodybuilder.
Jonathan Martin, Fox26 News, November 19th, 2022
TenniStory: Kelubia Mabatah
Former collegiate player Kelubia Mabatah suffered a terrible attack. This is his story.
Prakash Amritraj, Tennis Channel, March 17, 2022
Tennis player battles back from brutal attack; starts foundation to help others
Having survived a brutal attack and still affected by massive brain injuries, Kel Mabatah has started a foundation to raise money for others in his position.
KHOU 11, November 21, 2021
Kel's Hill: Fighting back in his own way
Former star tennis player Kel Mabatah is inspiring others with his comeback story after a near-fatal attack.
KHOU 11, February 2, 2018
How a Houston bodybuilder overcame a traumatic brain injury to compete in the sport he loves
Kelubia Mabatah's week is entirely dedicated to training for his next bodybuilding competition. He speands an hour each day on cardio and then another couple of hours lifting weights...
Lindsay Peyton, Houston Chronicle, August 4, 2021
Why I Decided To Give Back
Six Years ago, Kel Mabatah sustained a traumatic brain injury after being brutally attached while in Nigeria. Mabatah was in a coma for nearly a week, and the incident left him completely paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak. After undergoing emergency surgery in Nigeria, he returned to Houston and was admitted to Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center...
Memorial Hermann, December 8, 2020
How one Atascocita man defied doctors' expectations and learned to walk again
Atascocita resident Jonathan Bomar doesn't recall the course of events that left him with a broken neck and traumatic brain injury in 2016. All he can remember is driving through the rain...
Lindsay Peyton, Houston Chronicle, November 16, 2020