Paul Van Dyk Opens Up On Serious Fall: 'I Had To Learn To Speak And Eat Again'

Following a serious fall off stage back in February, celebrated German DJ Paul van Dyk has opened up in an interview about his long road to recovery in overcoming a "severe" traumatic brain injury. 

In an exclusive interview with Billboard, van Dyk says, "The first four or five months I was actually still in the wheelchair. Because of the brain injury, I had to learn to walk again. I’m still a bit slurry with speaking. I had to learn how to speak; I had to learn how to eat.

"I can do a lot of things that I was able to do before, but it’s still a long way until I’m at the point where I want to be — and the point that I came from … In one or two years, I may be back to 100%, or should I say, the new 100%. The doctors say I won’t be able to do as much as I used to do. It’s a long way; it’s a very hard way."

Following the fall at A State Of Trance festival in the Netherlands, last month van Dyk announced his return to the stage would be at EDC Las Vegas this month.

"From a health point of view, my body still hurts. But the thought of playing my music again in front of my audience keeps me excited and drives me. I can’t wait for it to happen, van Dyk explains. "I think it’s going to be a very intense experience. But the positive feel — to be back with the people that supported me throughout these heavy times and give them the best I can musically — I’m really looking forward to it."