Jack Weeks
“He’s found peace with the moment that changed nearly every aspect of his life.”
Jack Weeks was 16 when he began living with paralysis after a diving accident at the shore. Now turning 21, Jack has grown physically and emotionally with his community’s ongoing support through a Help Hope Live fundraising campaign.
He spends six days per week in intensive rehabilitation, and years of dedication have paid off: he has more strength, greater muscle control, and improved core strength.
Jack says he’s learned over time that depression and discouragement are a part of the journey, but staying active, being fully engaged in physical therapy, and maintaining social connections in his family and community have been important to his progress.
Another key ingredient is fundraising.
Jack’s family came to Help Hope Live just one month after his injury. Since then, Jack’s community has raised enough in his honor to help offset the cost of a wheelchair van, accessibility improvements, and ongoing physical therapy.
However, there are still many barriers standing in the way of independence, from home accessibility limitations to the immense out-of-pocket cost of rehabilitation:
“Those therapies aren’t covered by insurance and cost about $65,000 a year, or $5,500 a month.”
Jack’s goal is to become strong enough to use a manual wheelchair instead of a power chair, learn to drive, and gain as much independence as possible. As mom and primary caregiver Cammie Weeks explained:
“It’s not just about maintaining…He’s getting his own life.”
