#javiSTRONG54 Foundation already helping make a difference
Just over a year ago, the San Ramon Valley community was shaken by the news that Jake Javier, a bright caring young man and captain of the San Ramon Valley High School football team, had suffered a severe neck injury in a tragic swimming pool accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. The accident occurred one day before he was scheduled to graduate with honors and fulfill his dreams of becoming a collegiate student-athlete at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
NorCal SCI co-founder Nick Struthers attended the #javiSTRONG54 Foundation fundraising event last week and made this video about it.
With the love and support of his family and community, Jake continues to make a great recovery. Not content with his own progress, this truly remarkable young man has started to help others facing similar challenges through the #javiSTRONG54 Foundation.
Although only months old, the #javiSTRONG54 Foundation has already committed to supporting Katie Pasichuke and her family and are in the process of establishing criteria to support other individuals and their families. Katie had an accident on March 31st (her 20th Birthday) resulting in head and spinal injuries, After surgery in Los Angeles, she was admitted to Craig Hospital in Colorado to begin her rehab. As luck would have it, she met Jake and the Javiers there and instantly formed a bond. Jake was determined to do all he could to help Katie and her family and hence Katie become the second benefactor of the #javiSTRONG54 Foundation.
Katie and Jake at Craigs Hospital
If you would like to find out more about how the #javiSTRONG54 Foundation can support other individuals, there is contact information on their website. All of the NorCal SCI staff had the chance to meet Jake and his mother Isabelle while they were in rehab at Santa Clara Valley Medial Center. It was clear to everyone that Jake and his family possessed the spirit and determination to give themselves the best chance of coping with their new challenges. Thus, it's no surprise to observe Jake's fantastic progress but also the Javiers' desire to help other families facing similar challenges.
If you would like to find out more about Jake's journey, click on the link below.