Hello, my name is Jason Allen Robert Strickland. I’m 31 years old and my friends call me Jay. Growing up I was energetic, a good student, and as I grew older, a sports-minded teenager. After high school I began St. Petersburg College, preparing for my future and working at Publix, a local grocery store. Things have changed for me since those carefree days in late 2005.
Returning from class on October 14, 2005 I had a motorcycle accident that turned my world upside down. All I remember is being run off the road. Fortunately, another driver found me and I was transported to Bayfront Medical Center where I was diagnosed with a “complete” spinal cord injury.
Given the location of my injury, doctors told my family I would never breathe on my own (think Christopher Reeves) and they should consider placing me in a nursing home as they anticipated I would experience (continued) complications due to the severity of my injury, and I’d routinely battle infections. I’m very grateful my family never considered this option. After many ups and many more downs, 3 months in ICU connected to a respirator and 6 months on the Physical Therapy floor, I went home in a wheelchair without a respirator.
Since my accident, I’ve had many surgeries; first to save my life, then to improve my quality of life. On a day-to-day basis, I depend on my aunt (who I call “Mom”, she has been my legal guardian since I was three) and a few paid caregivers to keep me healthy so I can continue working to improve my mobility. I can’t walk, move from my wheelchair, or take care of myself on my own. However, I do have limited use of my hands and the will to overcome the long odds I’m facing.
Progress is slow, but because of my commitment and dedication to therapy, my condition continues to improve. My diagnosis was changed to “incomplete” meaning there is evidence that I can progress further with continued hard work and lots of professional therapy. I go once a week for water therapy at a local YMCA and meet with a personal trainer three times a week. My in-home therapy keeps me active, but isn’t directed by professionals or performed using state-of-the-art equipment. I do this everyday of the week. Therapy with skilled professionals and the cutting edge equipment is expensive, so the in-home therapy and my daily personal caregivers (certified nursing assistants) are all Mom and I can afford to cover.
The limitations presented by my injury haven’t kept me from remaining active and preparing for my future. Granted, going back to school with my injury was much more difficult than before. However, I have graduated the AutoCAD drafting program at Pinellas Technical Education Center 2011. Also I graduated St. Petersburg College with an Associates of Arts in Engineering 2014. I am currently enrolled at the University of South Florida for my bachelors in mechanical engineering.
Things that I would like to pursue include
– Get a vehicle that I can drive myself so I can gain more of my independence back.
– Continue meeting my personal trainer at the YMCA.
– A stem cell transplant to rejuvenate the damaged cells in my spinal cord.
– Licensed/trained physical therapists to work with me at least two hours a day, three times a week. This includes the believing recovery center.
– Financial help with uninsured medical costs.
– Enter a study at the Miami Project, where I must pay for my travel, housing and a caregiver.
– Home renovations as we have only one small bathroom and our halls are narrow and hard to navigate.
It would be great if you could take a minute to click on the link and watch how well I’m doing at the YMCA: http://www.youtube.com/user/jaywalking85
You can help me by making a donation to Help Hope Live, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has served the needs of the transplant and catastrophic injury community for over 30 years. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, and are administered for my injury-related expenses only.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support.
Sincerely,
Jason (Jay) Strickland
[email protected]
