New-ish member

[Jay#14]

Newbie to the forum, so bear with me as I stumble through the first posts. My name is Jay I was injured in June of 2004 doing what I love still to this day, Moto-x!

The quick version goes...after coming off my bike from seat bouncing a small table top, I landed on my right side and broke my neck at the C-4 level, instantly paralyzed from the neck down. Spent a few weeks at PVH in Ft. Collins, CO. before moving to Craig Hospital in Denver, CO. where I spent about 3 1/2 months. While there learning wheelchair 101 I was able to regain most of the function in my arms and legs. Although I had some control of them, they still had a long way to go and are still to this day rather "quad-like" but they are getting better. Wrist and hand strength are weak on the left side and the right is…well…not so much.

Fast forward 7 years, a ton of therapy, and countless dollars spent on getting better, I was fortunate and although it was extremely difficult and painful at times, able to pedal an English racing trike (with a few adaptations) from the CO/WY border to the CO/NM border just a couple weeks ago. I feel very lucky to be able to do such an activity again, and have set my goals in life to help as many people as I can that have sustained such an injury.

I would like to get to know more of the members that have SCI's and although I'm able to walk (with a crutch), ride a trike again, I still use a wheelchair for long distances or long periods of time out somewhere due to the secondary issues of having a SCI still being there. I truly feel your pain and may be able to offer some solutions to problems that are otherwise difficult to ask (you know the ones) a regular doctor or even a close friend. No question is really off limits or sensitive, I have found that many of us want to ask, but may be too embarrassed to ask. So either reply to this post or send a private message, either way I'd love to hear from you!!

Jay

[fastlearner]

Welcome, Jay. Thanks for joining us here at RDF.

[Tatonka]

Thanks Jay - I really believe that your personal experience and insights can be a tremendous help to many others. Keep it going!!

[MASTX4]

Hi Jay!! Wow, thanks for sharing your story. You have come an extremly long way and should be proud of yourself!! Keep up the hard work. Our 16 year old son broke his T6 on 11/20/10. Paralyzed from the chest down. Doctors diagnosed him as ASIA A with 5% chance of walking. It has been a rough year, tho he is doing awesome. Sooooooo, if O.K. I will take you up on your offer to stay in touch. I have been contacting riders on the forum to see how they are doing and everything has been extremly positive.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Have an awesome day!!
Debbie

p.s. I was in Castle Rock last weekend, the day it was 83!! Back to rainy WA now!

[Jay#14]

Thanks everyone!! I hope to be a help in any way I can!!

@MASTX4 Hi Debbie! Please do keep in touch you can also email me directly if you want to just let me know if that's ok? The first year is really tough, so much going on and at times it just doesn't seem worth it but it does get better. This injury can take a lot away from from both the rider and their family but it can also give just as much if not more in return. Keep on working hard and if you get stuck on something let me know if I can help!!

CastleRock is a nice area for sure!! We're expecting snow tonight! Not ready for that yet at all! LOL!

Jay

[MASTX4]

Hi Jay!! Thanks so much. Yes I would love to keep in touch. David is coming up on his 1 year date, :(.......Going to start Pushing boundaries which is like Project Walk, so looking forward to that. email me anytime direct @ mastx4@aol.com.
I heard there is a storm coming your way too, so bundle up!!
Talk to you soon,
Debbie

[Jay#14]

Hey Debbie!! The storm is basically here, my nerve pain goes sky high when the storm is coming and then when it finally gets here returns to normal, or should I say a tolerable level. The high tomorrow is 31, holy BRRRRR!!

Did David go to Craig Hospital when he was first injured or another facility? (Just curious)

Didn't know about Pushing Boundaries in Washington, but very cool!! Great to hear of another facility available to help!! I got started at Project Walk in Carlsbad, and they continue to do amazing things!! Are you going to their open house at the new facility on November 5th?

I'll shoot a quick email to you!

Talk to ya later,
Jay

[Jay#14]

Hey everyone!

Here's some updated photos of my recovery and where it's heading. This week we have been filming for a promo video for a little bike ride that is being planned. The new cycling gear arrived just in time. I'm really stoked on the gear cuz of the big RDF on the back! Thanks BV!! (see pics below) If you're interested in one please let myself or RDF know. Cost is $70 - $100 depending on fabric, and there is also a 6 - 8 week wait, as these are custom made to order. Share the love for an awesome foundation!!

Also this is a good time as any to make an informal announcement as to what I'm up to and how I could use your help with this.
In about another month or so I will be formally announcing the cross country trip I have been planning and training for. Yep! You heard right! A cross country trip, some 3000 miles, from Ocean Beach, Ca. to Jacksonville Beach, FL. starting in January of 2013 if all goes correctly! This may sound familiar to many of you as Jimmy Button just did this ride a few months ago.

As cool as this is the really cool part is I would love for anyone who has been helped by RDF (or their friends, and families or friends of the family, ok really just anyone) to join me, if you can, for as long as you want. If anything I'd love to meet you along the way, maybe grab some dinner and just chill! Also if anyone is crazy enough to join me for the entire trip I would love it if you could. Contact me at jay@jaylapointe.com

I'm still working out the details and should have a website with all the info about the ride up in a few weeks. The producer of the promo videos we are doing this week is thinking about turning this into a documentary film, and I would love to have your story and you on this film too, if we can! He hasn't committed yet, however with your help and support I can work on him and get a definite yes or no out of him.

If anyone knows of any large corporations looking for a unique advertising opportunity we have many levels available and if a filming crew comes along we will need RVs, a chef to feed everyone daily, and so much more! If you feel you can lend a hand in any of these areas please contact me at jay@jaylapointe.com and we can discuss the details.

Thank you everyone and please keep updating your injuries and recoveries. It is the reason I get out of bed everyday, you inspire me to push farther and harder in my own recovery!!



Jay

Ps. Here's a link to my website for more filming pics! http://www.jaylapointe.com/filming_2012

[Tatonka]

RDF is so psyched to see Jay accomplishing all this and to have him pulling RDF along with him makes it even sweeter! Please throw in your ideas and support and make this a ride to celebrate!!

[oldquadridr]

Jay..So excited to hear about the trip..It is great seeing how far you have come, I am sure there are plenty of people you have touched and helped through your inspiration. Great job..I love seeing all your updates