Jonathan Grabel

Jon Grabel is a devoted husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, friend, and colleague. He and his wife, Sindy, live in Miami, where they have built a life centered on family, love, and generosity. Jon is the proud father of two daughters, Amanda and Courtney, a loving grandfather to two beloved grandsons, and a son and brother who treasures his family deeply.

If you know Jon, you know he always puts others first. Every morning begins with a call to his daughters and his mom, because staying connected to the people he loves is simply part of who he is. He never misses a friend’s birthday, is always looking for a way to solve a problem or make someone else’s day a little easier, and checks in on others long before asking for anything himself. He is generous with his time, advice, and professional connections, always looking for opportunities to help others succeed.

Jon loves golfing, traveling with Sindy, his work, watching CNBC, enjoying a good black-and-white cookie, reading, staying fit, and spending time with family and friends. His kindness and unwavering willingness to help have touched countless lives, and now, as he begins the long road to recovery, that same community is coming together to support him. While the future remains uncertain, we know this journey will take time, faith, and a village and we are grateful for every person supporting Jon, Sindy and their family.

On May 31, 2026, Jon suffered a devastating fall in his apartment after becoming lightheaded while going to get a glass of water. The fall resulted in a traumatic C5 spinal cord injury.

For someone with Jon’s level of spinal cord injury, first-year care costs can exceed $500,000. While insurance may cover portions of his medical care, the largest out-of-pocket expenses will be 24/7 in-home caregiving, specialized equipment, and access to promising experimental treatments and therapies that are often not covered by insurance. Our goal is to give Jon every opportunity to recover and achieve the best possible quality of life.

Jon is currently at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he is receiving specialized care and beginning the important work of rehabilitation. His recovery will require time, dedication, and intensive therapy. We are focused on maximizing his strength, function, independence, and overall quality of life.

Despite everything he is facing, Jon’s determination remains strong. We will face each challenge one day at a time, celebrate every milestone, and continue moving forward together with the support of family, friends, colleagues, and community.

We are deeply grateful for the love, encouragement, prayers, and support that have surrounded him since his injury.

What Recovery Requires

A spinal cord injury impacts nearly every aspect of daily life. While insurance helps cover portions of medical care, many important expenses associated with recovery, rehabilitation, accessibility, and long-term independence are either partially covered or not covered at all.

As Jon progresses through rehabilitation, our family is focused on providing him with access to the therapies, equipment, technology, and support services that can help maximize his recovery and quality of life.

Rehabilitation & Recovery

Recovery from a spinal cord injury extends far beyond a hospital stay. It often involves years of ongoing therapy, specialized rehabilitation programs, adaptive exercise, and emerging neurorecovery treatments.

Potential rehabilitation needs may include:

• Intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation

• Activity-based therapy programs

• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapies and equipment

• Standing and gait training programs

• Advanced rehabilitation technologies

• Specialized spinal cord injury recovery programs

• Travel to rehabilitation centers and medical specialists

Ongoing Care & Support

Recovery often requires ongoing assistance and medical support long after rehabilitation ends.

Potential needs may include:

• In-home caregiving assistance

• Medical supplies and adaptive equipment

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Ongoing therapy and wellness programs

• Specialized consultations and evaluations

• Future technologies and treatments that may become available

Mobility & Accessibility

Regaining independence requires specialized mobility equipment and modifications that allow daily activities to be performed safely and effectively.

Potential needs may include:

• Power wheelchair and seating systems

• Standing frame equipment

• Transfer and positioning equipment

• Wheelchair-accessible transportation

Assistive Technology & Independence

Technology can play a critical role in restoring independence following a spinal cord injury.

Potential needs may include:

• Voice-controlled computer systems

• Speech recognition software

• Eye-gaze and eye-tracking technology

• Head-tracking systems

• Sip-and-puff communication devices

• Adaptive keyboards and computer controls

• Communication devices and tablets

• Smart home technology

• Environmental control systems for lights, doors, televisions, and thermostats

Daily Living Equipment

Many everyday activities require specialized adaptive equipment following a spinal cord injury.

Examples include:

• Adaptive eating and kitchen equipment

• Dressing and grooming aids

• Transfer boards

• Grabber and reacher tools

• Adaptive hygiene equipment

• Bathing and personal care equipment

• Home safety and accessibility devices

Looking Ahead

Every spinal cord injury recovery journey is unique. While there are many unknowns ahead, our goal is simple: to provide Jon with every opportunity to maximize his recovery, maintain his independence, and continue living a meaningful and fulfilling life.

For those who have asked how they can help, this page serves as a way to support Jon’s ongoing recovery journey and the many needs that come with adapting to life after a spinal cord injury.

Thank you for your kindness, encouragement, prayers, and support. Our family is deeply grateful to have such an incredible community standing beside Jon as he begins this next chapter.

Family and friends of Jonathan Grabel are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a catastrophic injury. Jonathan has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.