Kevin Hart shares moving video of recovery after car accident: "My world was forever changed"

Kevin Hart endured a terrible car crash during the first week of September this year, resulting in painful back injuries. He has since undergone emergency back surgery. In a video uploaded to social media platform Instagram late Tuesday night, the comedian displayed what life has been like ever since the accident took place. The comedian has been following a rather grueling recovery process, which is featured throughout the video. He explains that he now does not take anything for granted as the incident completely changed his life. The video comes after Hart made his first public appearance following the accident, PEOPLE Magazine reports.

The video began with footage of the totaled vehicle he was in when he crashed. The text, appearing in the clip, read, "My world was forever changed." Hart then narrates, "Basically what you realize is that you’re not in control. No matter how much you think you’re in control, you’re not in control. At the end of the day, it can all be over." Then, the video cuts to a clip of the movie star bedridden after his operation. Several clips followed, filmed over numerous weeks. The video featured hospital nurses helping Hart stand up for the first time since the surgery with the aid of a walker. Not before long, he is seen attending physical therapy sessions, and later, completing full-blown workouts. There were also many clips of his family, friends, and doctor included in the video.

He also shared some of the insights he learned from the experience. "When God talks, you gotta listen," he explained. "I swear, life is funny. Because some of the craziest things that happen to you end up being the things that you needed the most. And in this case, I honestly feel like God basically told me to sit down. When you’re moving too fast and doing too much, sometimes you can’t see the things that you’re meant to see. But after my accident I see things differently, I see life from a whole new perspective."

He continued, stressing, "My appreciation for life is through the roof. Don’t take today for granted because tomorrow is not promised... I’m thankful for my family, and my friends. I’m thankful for the people that simply ride with me and have been with me because you stood by me. My fans, I’m thankful for all of your love and support... More importantly, I’m thankful for God. I’m thankful for life. I’m thankful for simply still being here." Among those featured in the video were wife Eniko Parrish daughter Heaven, 14, and sons Hendrix, 11, and Kenzo Kash, 23 months.

The clip ended with footage from one of Hart's more recent visits to his doctors, during which he is told that it may take a whole year before he is fully recovered. "Whatever it is, I’m not disrespecting the time. I’m not in a rush," he responded. "[I'm on] the road to being a bigger and better version of me." The comedian concluded, "I’m looking forward to an amazing 2020." Though he has had a controversial 2019, stepping down as the host of this year's Oscars after a series of his old homophobic tweets resurfaced and only half-apologizing, perhaps this experience has made him a more empathetic, thoughtful, and patient individual. Hopefully, there are greater things awaiting him in the upcoming year.