Christian Author Christopher Yuan Recovering After Traumatic Injury
Yuan regains ‘some feelings’ in his legs after surgery.
Popular Christian author and speaker Christopher Yuan is recovering from surgery to treat injuries after a traumatic fall earlier this week. His family described the fall as “abnormal,” leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.
Christopher Yuan / Video screenshot
In a recent X (formerly Twitter) update, Yuan’s team reported the accident on Monday (Sept. 22): “Please pray for Dr. Christopher Yuan! He had a fall at home this morning, and cannot feel/move his legs. Emergency services are currently transporting him to the hospital.” They later wrote that he had been moved to the trauma center, and his mother was unable to see him.
Well-known for his inspiring journey to salvation and out of homosexuality, Yuan, 55, also taught at the Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct instructor for 13 years. He remains a popular speaker at conferences, often discussing faith and sexuality, and also wrote the popular book “Out of a Far Country” with his mother.
On Sept. 23, his mother wrote on X, “He [Yuan] is paralyzed from the neck down. After a long wait for the MRI, surgery is scheduled for today. Pray for God’s mercy on His servant, that the surgery will be successful and Christopher will not be paralyzed permanently.”
Later reports detail that the fall occurred while Yuan was using an inversion table, a device designed to suspend users upside down to relieve spinal pressure and discomfort. According to the statement, Yuan fell while inverted, and a heavy piece of equipment landed on his chest.
Christopher Yuan recovers from surgery / Photo via Twitter
While marketed as medical devices, studies have highlighted the potential hazards associated with using inversion tables. One possible injury is tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, which is what happened to Yuan.
Later on Sept. 23, a post on Yuan’s X account says his surgery was successful, and he is continuing to regain movement in his hands, arms, and toes, with some sensation returning to his legs. Yuan is expected to receive 6-7 months of rehab to recover from the injury.
An update on Thursday (Sept. 25) said, “Christopher got some help standing today. His arms are getting stronger, though he has no grip in his right hand and very little movement in his left. His legs remain weak. He estimates about 30% strength in the right and 1% in the left. He is still numb from chest down.”
His family expressed gratitude for the love, support, and prayers they were receiving. Yuan requested more prayer and “that through this situation, many more people will come to know Jesus and the gospel!”
This story has been changed to reflect the Sept. 25 update.
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