Dear Friends, Family and Community,

On May 23rd 2016, my life was completely changed. While playing football, the game I love, I fractured my C6 and C7 bone on my spinal cord. I went through surgery, multiple procedures, being on a ventilator, my left lung collapsing, and many other complications. Luckily, I was blessed with an amazing family, group of friends, and community that helped me push through the most difficult time of my life. This injury has put a whole different perspective on life. You’ve got to live every day to the fullest. Don’t take anything for granted. It’s hard not to think “Why me?” I guess God has a different plan for me. I have to accept that and move on, so I try to think of this injury as a blessing not a curse. It’s been a wild 365 days. I have met new people who have encouraged me in many ways and made connections that will help me throughout the rest of my life. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and to let you know I’m not giving up!
During the last year, we have been so fortunate with the outpouring from our community to raise funds to pay for equipment that was not covered under insurance. This year, with generous donations, I was able to purchase a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike, Glider Standing Frame and Bioness hand stimulation devices. These items have really helped me keep my body healthy between visits to Physical Therapy here at home and at Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
This year my goal is to convert my truck so I will be able to drive to school for my senior year at Cherokee High School. I received it on my 16th Birthday just six months before the accident, but we have found a place that can convert it for me to drive. I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and being able to have the mobility to go places on my own. It will be amazing to have this independence again! The cost of this conversion and the training at Shepherd Center in Atlanta is expensive and not covered under my insurance policy.
A fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the South–Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund and are administered by Help Hope Live for injury-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
Please check out my campaign page at helphopelive.org for future fundraising events and posting updates regularly. If you’d like to volunteer to help “The Fight for 5”, please contact Robin MacLellan at 423-921-0207 or robin@easttniron.com.
Signed by J.T. Brooks