Quadriplegic Man Dances With Wife 6 Years After Tragic Accident
In 2009, Joel Jackson was in a horrific car accident in Anderson, SC that left a young girl dead and others with serious injuries. During the accident, Joel was thrown from the car. His spine was separated from his skull, resulting in an “internal decapitation.” Few survive this type of injury. Joel did, though it left him a quadriplegic at the age of 20.
Joel spent weeks in a coma. Doctors were able to fuse his spine to prevent further nerve damage. He was sent home after 87 days in the hospital, but the prognosis for any type of long-term recovery was not good. Hope came from an unexpected quarter.
Life is funny that way
Lauren Jackson met Joel during a church event when they were both 14. They became close, but drifted apart over time. She had married and divorced, and went to visit Joel after he was sent home. He was unable to speak because of his injuries, but they found ways to communicate. Lauren continued to visit Joel, and they began dating. They were married in September 2013. They chose “I’ll Be” as their wedding song. She told him, “When you can talk, I want to renew our vows. And when you can walk, I want you to dance with me.”
Over the following years, Lauren put forth a tremendous effort to find rehabilitation facilities for her husband. She found that many facilities had no experience dealing with the type of injury that Joel had suffered, known as a C1 injury. However, she continued her efforts because his injuries were “incomplete,” and he retained some feeling and movement.
According to NBC, the frustrated couple “moved to Florida with Joel’s father, who works for Lowe’s and put him on his insurance plan. Joel also receives coverage under Medicaid and Medicare.” It was there that they found Brooks Rehabilitation. After months of therapy to strengthen his body, Joel’s therapists asked if he was comfortable using a device called a ZeroG. The device allows rehab patients to stand upright and use their legs to support a fraction of their bodyweight.
Joel agreed. While therapists prepped Joel, Lauren looked away. When she looked back up, he was standing in front of her. Bob McIver, manager of the facility, found a recording of “I’ll Be” and pumped it through the gym’s speakers. After years of effort and months of grueling physical therapy, Joel and Lauren were able to dance for the first time.
Spinal cord injuries rarely have a happy ending. Joel and Lauren still have a long way to go, but this is one happy story that needs to be shared. We at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC extend our heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple.
Lauren was able to act on Joel’s behalf, but not everyone has an advocate in a time of crisis. Our experienced and compassionate South Carolina personal injury attorneys can be your advocates in your time of need. If you have been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
Read more about S. Randall Hood