JD

In 2008, an 11 year old boy named JD suffered an anoxic brain injury from a near drowning incident in the family spa. The family saw “life as normal” change that Saturday afternoon as they and their four children faced the uncertainty of life ahead. As JD underwent extensive treatment for his injuries over a 6 month hospital stay, the community stepped up and supported the family both financially and emotionally through financial support and prayer. “Pray, Pray, Pray for JD” and “Hope4Minds” became the slogans of these support efforts.

Since then, JD has participated in various treatments, including Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Water Therapy, Music Therapy, and Hippotherapy. He also had a procedure known as the PERCS Procedure performed on his ankles and elbow to release and lengthen the tendons, so he could begin bearing weight on his feet and straightening his arm. He used the Gait Trainer and Standing Wheelchair to begin bearing weight and making the walking motion once again. He then began to make significant cognitive changes, as well as a vast improvement in his vision due to being in an upright position for long periods of time.

After years of multiple therapies, the use of specialized equipment, and a rigorous standing program, JD is almost fully weight bearing, can walk with little assistance, and has started to talk, sing, and even spell. Click here to watch JD in action!

How has Team Luke Hope For Minds helped JD?

Neuro Developmental Therapy visits
Tinting of the van windows because JD can’t adjust his body temperature
Remodeling of his bedroom to allow the space to be used more effectively for standing exercises and therapy
Surgical consultation and casting at UTMB by Roz Mazal
Standing Wheelchair
Click here to see JD swimming.