Help HOPE Live for Jason Stephens

Shortly after celebrating our son’s 2^nd birthday and discovering we were pregnant with our second child, Jason got hurt while playing soccer. In mid-December 2022, he was diagnosed with a partially torn achilles tendon. He was told to go non-weight bearing in a boot and crutches and unbeknown to us developed a blood clot in his right calf. Jason spent hours on January 1st, 2023, planning his goals and desires for the New Year with no idea that he would die the following day and come back as a very different version himself. The following morning Jason knew something was wrong on the way to the ER but completely ignorant to the seriousness of the situation and how life was about to drastically change.

Jason was quickly admitted to the hospital for observation with the diagnosis of a massive pulmonary embolism in both lungs and a right heart strain. Later that evening he went into sudden cardiac arrest secondary to right heart failure. Luckily, Jason had just arrived in ICU so they were able to begin CPR immediately. He was resuscitated after 29 minutes and put into an induced coma. During cardiac arrest, he had endured multiple ischemic right brain strokes and suffered an Anoxic Brain Injury due to complete oxygen deprivation. Approximately two weeks later we had thought he was going to get discharged soon but Jason developed new symptoms which led to the discovery of a large retroperitoneal hematoma (internal bleed). After multiple blood transfusions and many complications, we learned that Jason had a stroke in his spinal cord due to significant blood loss and was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury (paralysis).

Jason was in critical and intermediate care for 44 days before flying via air ambulance to Colorado to begin inpatient rehabilitation at Craig Hospital. In April, he transferred from Colorado to a step-down rehabilitation facility called QLI in Nebraska. Jason returned home in mid-July to meet his daughter for the first time after missing her birth due to rehab. He then began outpatient therapy while adjusting to his new life at home post injury.

Since his injuries, Jason has struggled the most with not being able to walk, short term memory loss, overstimulation, incontinence, accessibility issues, and no longer feeling like he “pisses excellence.” The long-term effects that Jason endures now include paraplegia (loss of movement and sensation in lower half of body), muscle weakness, spasticity, issues with bowel control, overactive bladder, alien hand, short term memory loss, temperature regulation, poor circulation, behavioral and social changes, mood changes, overstimulation, fatigue, communication problems, cognitive difficulties, changes in initiation, and issues with executive functioning skills.

During inpatient rehab, we learned that Jason has an incomplete spinal cord injury (Level T8/ Asia C) meaning that his spinal cord was partially damaged below level T8 but we do not know to what extent. This tells us a lot and a little at the same time. Recovery from an incomplete SCI means he will have to wait and see what level of function he can regain in his legs. This will likely look like walking non-functionally and requiring an assistive device but Jason hopes he will be able to walk unassisted again in the future. He is very determined and willing to put in the work to achieve the best possible outcome post injury.

Jason is making slow but steady progress in physical, occupational, and speech therapy since coming home from inpatient rehab. He also started a program called ADAPT Advanced which is a therapeutic training program for individuals with neurological injuries that he goes to weekly. It is unfortunately not covered by insurance but it is the extra physical therapy Jason needs to aid with his SCI recovery. In addition to the 6-8 appointments each week, Jason has weekly homework, tasks, & exercises to do at home that have been assigned from therapists. Each week revolves around maximizing recovery efforts while also raising two young children who can be very overstimulating to a parent with a brain injury and multiple strokes.

Life is difficult enough without the ability to walk functionally, however the brain injury/strokes are proving to have profound impacts on daily life as well. Jason wants a service dog that will help him with day-to-day life activities & increase independence. He is more than qualified with multiple catastrophic injuries, but we will have to pay out of pocket for a dog that is trained with Jason’s specific disabilities in mind. The goal is to buy a golden retriever puppy from a reputable breeder that will be trained to be a mobility service dog. In addition, the dog will be trained to alert and guide Jason away from environments causing overstimulation. 

Jason intends to used the funds raised for a service dog & medical expenses that are not covered by insurance. The medical debt incurred from 7 months of hospitalization in addition to ongoing medical expenses & supplies are astronomical. From initial hospitalization to rehabilitation to ongoing medical needs and beyond, the costs associated with multiple catastrophic injuries represent a significant financial burden. The time, effort, & money expelled have all been for good purpose but a difficult journey nonetheless. With your help, Jason can get a service dog to improve his quality of life & more therapy to help him regain as much function as possible.

Jason’s family has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button. For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 1(800) 642-8399.

Thank you for your support!