Many of us have our own relationship with God. For some, faith is central to everyday life; for others, it may be more personal, complicated, or hard to define. But for one man, that relationship took on an entirely different meaning after a life-altering accident left him fighting for his life.
Gabe Poirot suffered a devastating crash that resulted in an 18-day coma. When he eventually woke up, he began describing an experience he says he had while unconscious—one that included Heaven, Jesus, and what he believes brought him back. Keep reading to find out what Gabe says he saw during those 18 days and how the experience changed the way he viewed his life.
Doctors diagnosed Gabe with a severe traumatic brain injury
When Gabe Poirot was riding his electric skateboard with his friend John Michael, neither of them knew a routine ride was about to change both their lives. They were traveling at nearly 30 mph when Gabe’s skateboard struck something in the road, sending the 20-year-old flying roughly six feet into the air. He landed headfirst on the pavement without a helmet, leaving him unconscious and critically injured.
While John was left confronting the terrifying aftermath of the crash, Gabe says he was experiencing something entirely different. He recalled, “By the time the ambulance had gotten there, honestly, I was suctioned up by light; this tunnel of light suctioned me up out of there.” For Gabe, what was happening around his unconscious body was only one part of an experience he would later describe in much greater detail.
Meanwhile, the reality on the ground was far more serious. Gabe had suffered a devastating traumatic brain injury, and doctors were deeply concerned about whether he would survive and, if he did, how much neurological function he would retain. According to the Express US, Dr. Forrest “Dell” Moore, Vice Chief of Surgery, described Gabe’s injury as “very significant,” with subdural hemorrhages and contusions. Other accounts describe additional complications, including serious injuries to his skull and lungs.
After 18 days in a coma, family friend Ginger prayed over Gabe, a moment he later connected to his experience of Heaven
As Gabe’s condition continued to deteriorate, he was placed in a medically induced coma, a treatment that can reduce brain activity and give the brain time to rest while doctors manage a severe injury. Meanwhile, John stayed by Gabe’s side as news of the accident spread. As news of Gabe’s condition began to spread, the response quickly grew far beyond the people who knew him personally. His community organized a worship night that same evening and livestreamed it on social media, sharing the event widely in the hope that people around the world would join them in praying for Gabe.
After Gabe had spent 18 days in a coma, family friend Ginger visited him and prayed for him to wake up. Gabe later said he saw those prayers from what he describes as Heaven’s perspective, watching them form bridges that eventually reached Jesus. “It was those prayers that I was actually sent back on,” he recalled. His description of the experience became one of the most striking parts of his account, particularly because he says he could see his family and friends praying for him while he remained unconscious.
Gabe’s recovery stunned doctors, with Dr. Moore calling it “nothing short of a miracle.”
When Gabe finally regained consciousness, he says he initially felt like a stranger in his own body after what he had experienced. Yet within days, he was able to walk out of the hospital. Dr. Moore, as reported by the Mirror, described the recovery as “nothing short of a miracle,” noting that very few patients with injuries as severe as Gabe’s survive, and even fewer make a full recovery.
Following his recovery, Gabe shared that the four words he heard from Jesus were, “Worthy is the Lamb.”
After surviving the accident and making a remarkable recovery, Gabe later began speaking publicly about what he says he experienced while unconscious. Over time, that experience became much more than a story Gabe told about surviving a devastating accident. He eventually made it a central part of his Christian ministry and wrote about it in his book 18 Days in Heaven, sharing what he says he saw and felt during the period when he was unconscious. Gabe says he encountered Jesus and experienced what he believes was Heaven, and that the experience fundamentally changed the way he views faith, life, and his own purpose. For him, the story’s significance lies not only in what he says happened during those 18 days, but also in how the experience has shaped the life he has lived since waking up.
Gabe’s community livestreamed a worship night, connecting his story with people around the world
Gabe’s story is ultimately about survival, faith, and how a community can come together when someone faces an unimaginable situation. But it also highlights another powerful force in his story: social media. When news of Gabe’s condition spread, people weren’t limited to supporting him from the sidelines. Through livestreams and social platforms, his friends and community could share what was happening, invite others to join them in prayer, and connect with people far beyond their immediate circle. In a matter of hours, people who had never met Gabe could learn about his situation and become part of the wider community hoping for his recovery.
That kind of rapid mobilization is one reason social media has become such an influential part of modern life. Atlantic International University notes that platforms such as Facebook and X have transformed the landscape of social activism by making it easier to spread information, organize people, and mobilize supporters around a shared cause. Movements such as Black Lives Matter have shown how quickly social platforms can take a message from a small group and bring it to a global audience, sometimes leading to action far beyond the internet. Gabe’s story offers a different example of that same ability to bring people together: instead of organizing around a political movement, his community used social media to mobilize around a person fighting for his life.
@gabe_poirot For 18 Days In Heaven, I had a moment with Jesus. He was darker toned skin, yet pure light at the same time. His eyes were a red fire. In the book 18 Days In Heaven, I describe the details He allowed me to remember. #heaven #nde #booktok #18daysinheaven #christianbooktok ♬ original sound – Gabe Poirot
Social media helped Gabe’s story reach a much wider audience and brought people together in support of him
The influence of social media also extends beyond activism. A report by the Pew Research Center has highlighted how these platforms can encourage political participation by giving people easier access to information, creating spaces for discussion, and allowing users to engage directly with public figures and institutions. At the same time, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have become major drivers of cultural trends, influencing everything from fashion and music to food, beauty, and lifestyle. Viral challenges, memes, creators, and influencers can introduce an idea to millions of people in a very short time, sometimes turning something that began as a small online trend into a broader cultural phenomenon.
Well, social media sure can bring people together in ways we don’t always expect. In Gabe’s story, it helped his family and friends reach a much wider community, giving people around the world a chance to learn about his situation and support him in their own way. And when life suddenly takes a frightening turn, knowing that there are people out there who care, even people you’ve never met, can mean more than we sometimes realise. Sometimes, that sense of connection is exactly what people need when they are facing an uncertain and difficult time. Gabe’s story is a powerful reminder that even in moments when we feel helpless, coming together can make the journey a little less lonely.
After recovering, Gabe spoke publicly about his experience and described his encounter with Jesus and his appearance
As his story spread, people shared their thoughts and reactions online
@gabe_poirot What did Heaven look like? 🙏🙏Click the orange button to take advantage of the massive discount & free shipping for the book 18 Days In heaven #nde #18daysinheaven #booktok #christianbooktok ♬ original sound – Gabe Poirot
Andrej Lišakov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Some shared similar experiences, while others questioned Gabe’s account of encountering Jesus
Salvatore Favata / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
