Swim with Mike

Hey Everyone!

I would like to dedicate this blog to an amazing foundation: Swim with Mike from which I am one of their scholarship recipients. This organization began in 1981 when the founder, Mike Nyeholt, suffered a spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident. Prior to his accident, Mike was an elite swimmer at the University of Southern California (USC) and due to his athletic drive, he did not give up on his fight to walk again and continue his education. That inspired one of his closest friends, Ron Orr, to organize a “Swim-a-thon” to raise money for an adapted van for Mike. From that event, Mike had a vision to create Swim with Mike, an organization to give scholarships to physically challenged student athletes. Since then, they have raised over 13 million dollars and have given scholarships to over 140 student athletes. Hard to believe but Mike still hasn't given up- he can literally swim over 6000 laps at the Swim with Mike annual events!

Many people ask why have an organization with that type of mission?  The answer is simple; after a spinal cord injury, education plays a key role and leads to independence.

Swim with Mike allowed me to attend my dream school, USC, and live off campus independently and cost free. It was hard to adjust to a new, independent lifestyle at first, but Swim with Mike is built upon a community of resources. If I ever have a question, I have the opportunity to ask fellow recipients for their input and help. It is also a great way to meet new people and hear their stories.

Having an injury should not be a reason to not pursue a higher education. It is a possibility because of organizations like Swim with Mike. 

Click here to see my video about Swim with Mike

If you have been a victim of a spinal cord injury, I encourage you to apply. Also, if you are available on Saturday, April 13, come down to the USC McDonald’s Swim Stadium for the Swim With Mike’s annual fundraiser!  You will see the many people they have impacted and supported over the years as well as see the many opportunities they provide to their recipients. Feel free to contact me for details.  I’d be more than happy to provide you with them.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at HelpJenWalkAgain@gmail.com.

Another event to put on your calendars is March 15-17 for the Abilities Expo at the Convention Center in Los Angeles. It is an open forum with workshops and you get a first look at all the new adaptive equipment. Admission is free so stop by!

God Bless and Love always,
Jen Bou Lahoud

SCI Standing Frame

Hey everyone,

Below you will find a quick video of my new standing frame. Thanks to recent contributions to my cause, I was able to purchase one.

A standing frame assists a Spinal Cord Injury individual into a standing position. I can stand with a walker and AFO braces but the standing frame allows me to stand for longer durations completely by myself. Though the standing frame is considered to be “passive” standing, there are various benefits:

• Keeps the legs active through weight bearing
• Helps the blood to circulate to the lower extremities
• Strengthens joint stability
• Maintains bone density

Since I have the standing frame at my apartment on campus, I will be able to stand on a daily basis. With the addition of a table, I will be able to do my homework as I stand. It is a win-win!

Click here to see my new standing frame.

_______________________________________________________

To purchase a standing frame as shown in the video, please click here.
Prices vary on any specific features you may want but the one I purchased was $2,500.
_______________________________________________________

This is the next step forward, but I still have several steps to go in my recovery. Please visit www.HelpJenWalkAgain.com on ways to donate.

Thank you my angels!
God Bless and Love always,
Jen Bou Lahoud

Basic Campus Life Tips

Hey everyone,

I hope everyone is having a great start to the school year. Midterm season is over and now I have to think about final papers and exams. This cycle truly never ends!

This video blog is going to centralize on some basic tips I picked up during the past school year. The main topics cover: better backpacks, rain readiness and night sight when crossing the street.

CLICK HERE to watch the video.
__________________________________________________________

To purchase a wheelchair umbrella holder as shown in the video, please click here.
___________________________________________________________

In the future, I will be discussing cooking on my own. If you have a certain recipe you want me to try out, email me at HelpJenWalkAgain@gmail.com. Please let me know if you have questions about being independent on campus. It just might be the next topic on my blog. ;-)

In addition, keep an eye out for a video on Swim with Mike. This amazing organization gives scholarships to disabled athletes so they can continue to further their education. Without them, I wouldn't be living out my dream here at USC.

God bless and Love always,
Jen Bou Lahoud

California Legislation AB 1657

Hey Everyone! 

I hope you are all doing well! So this video blog is a special one. I know I said the next video blog will be about my review of some movies and books I have watched and read recently but this topic needs to be addressed first.

I want to discuss with you a California legislation that affects individuals with spinal cord injuries. 

The California Legislation AB 1657 is a legislation that will give grants to researchers throughout California in hopes to find a cure for paralysis. This all started back in 1994 when a young football player Roman Reed injured the C-level of his spinal cord while playing football. He came up with the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999.This act received 1.5 million dollars annually to give to researchers. Unfortunately, this program was cut.

California AB 1657 is a pending piece of legislation that aims at rebuilding a source of funding for paralysis research. The solution that was proposed is to raise traffic violation by $1 and that additional dollar will go to researchers directly.

This legislation was passed by the California Assembly and Senate. It is now in the hands of the governor, Jerry Brown. So we are asking you to write a letter or email him and show your support. Below is the letter I will be sending and you are welcome to copy any portion of it.

For the members of my audience that do not reside in California, I encourage you to look into your state legislation and assess whether you have a similar legislative Act or policy. And if not, please become an advocate for one.

CLICK HERE to see my video that discusses AB 1657.

CLICK HERE to read more about this legislation.

God bless and Love Always,

Jen Bou Lahoud

PS: Next video will be about living on my own at USC. I am open to answer any questions you may have. Email me at helpjenwalkagain@gmail.com

My Letter to Governor Jerry Brown

Attn: Legislation AB 1657

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Brown,

                My name is Jennifer Bou Lahoud and I am writing to you in the hopes of encouraging you to approve the AB1657 legislation. This is an extremely important piece of legislation that will have the opportunity to positively affect thousands of people who live with paralysis in California. The research funding associated with AB1657 will allow paralysis research to move forward.  I hope that California will be in the forefront of this research.

               Personally, I have been living with paralysis for the past 4 years.  On December 28, 2008, I was involved in a sledding accident in Big Bear, CA where I fell on my back and dislocated two vertebras at the T10/11 level.  Since that day, I have been paralyzed from the waist down. I do not have complete motor abilities or sensation below my injury line.

                I continuously attend various therapy facilities, such as Project Walk in Carlsbad and CORE in Northridge. Currently, I can walk with a walker and AFO braces (Ankle-Foot Orthopedics). I am fortunate enough to have made it this far in my recovery but others have not.

                Any research towards the cure of paralysis is worth the funding. Paralysis comes from not only Spinal Cord Injury but from various diseases and disorders. Being in a wheelchair does not only affect the individual physically but also emotionally and mentally.  I am young, motivated, and determined to continue to fight but we need your help. Please sign the AB 1657 and help us walk again.

For more information about my story,  please visit www.HelpJenWalkAgain.com.

Thank you!

Warm regards,

Jennifer Bou Lahoud

Becoming Independent

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics.  In my opinion, the opening ceremony was creative but I don’t think it compares to China. I did love the bit with the Queen “skydiving” and Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean)! He always knows how to make people laugh.

Today’s video blog is about my independence. I drive now with hand controls (thank you again to the Travis Roy Foundation) to school. When I get to the parking garage, I have to assemble the wheelchair. At first, it was difficult not only because the wheelchair was heavy but also because I had to figure out the most effective way to assemble it.  I watched YouTube videos on how others do it but it seemed everyone had their own strategy. So I combined what I learned and figured it out: in the beginning it took me 7 minutes but now I can assemble my wheelchair in under 3.

This year, I also lived on my own for the first time in university housing. I was both nervous and excited. I am so excited to move back when school starts. Yay!

So here it is, my new video on independence: CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Keep an eye out for the next video.   It will be my take and recommendations on recent movies and books I have watched and read this summer.

God bless and Love always,
Jen Bou Lahoud

Introduction to Video Blog

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!


I hope everyone is enjoying their summer like I am! I know this blog post is long overdue but I have exciting news. I am switching to a video blog! So from now on my blogs entries will be accompanied by a video diary from me.


This video includes is an introduction with basic background information about me. The video topics will focus on my opinions and personal life. I feel after these past years my audience has not had a chance to get to know me.


So to catch you up on what’s going on, I just finished my first year at the University of Southern California.  This is thanks to the full scholarship I have received from Swim with Mike. This was a major transition for me.  Not only was I switching from a community college to a university but I had to learn to live on my own.  Also, I grew a new passion in my studies..  My new goal is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  And from there, I hope to pursue my PhD. I will be sharing more details about my change in majors as well as the classes I am taking next semester in the upcoming video blogs.


With regards to therapy, I continue to make significant progress. I attend CORE with Taylor Isaacs every Wednesday (it will be changing to Saturdays at the start of the school year) and Project Walk on Fridays. I also was able to buy parallel bars in my garage so I can continue my therapy at home. My main focus at this time is to stand up by myself. Currently, I can’t stand up without the assistance of someone blocking my knees. So I am focusing on my quad strength. I am still walking with the Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO) but I have progressed to forearm crutches. It is significantly more difficult but I do love the challenge!


Now without further ado, here is the first of many video blogs. CLICK HERE


I would love to hear your feedback on the video as well as any questions you have about Spinal Cord Injuries or any other topics. Email me at helpjenwalkagain@gmail.com.


And don’t forget to check out my website, www.helpjenwalkagain.com, for ways to contribute to my fight to walk again.


God bless and Love always,

Jen Bou Lahoud

PS I will be posting videos at every other Sunday of the month so keep an eye out! The next one will be on driving with hand controls, putting the wheelchair in and out of the car, and a tour of my apartment at USC.

Three years later...

Hey Everyone!

Three years ago today, I was injured in Big Bear, CA by a freak sledding accident. I landed on my back causing a dislocation at my T10/11 vertebras. I was told that I would never walk again, but today, because of your support and donations, I am proving them wrong.

I recently finished my first semester at the University of Southern California (Go Trojans!). I have always wanted to attend USC. My older sister is a graduate and I’m proud to continue the tradition. I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Psychology. I am balancing my time between school and therapy. When I first started the semester, I felt a wave of independence. I was now driving myself to school and living on my own. I have a one bedroom apartment two blocks from campus. I have classes Monday through Thursday and I attend therapy with Taylor Isaacs on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30 pm and Project Walk on Fridays from 2:00-5:00 pm. I come home Thursday nights and spend the weekend with my family. I am also the Secretary for the Lebanese Club at USC. And yeah, I love watching the Trojans play football at the Coliseum. It is a dream come true!

Despite the busy schedule, I have been making significant improvements in my therapy. I continue to use my Ankle Foot Orthopedics (AFOs) to walk independently. I have graduated from the walker to forearm crutches. These crutches are the step in between a walker and a cane. When I first transitioned I could immediately feel a difference. They are less stable when compared to the walker. But as you all know, I enjoy a challenge! They allow me to stand taller and promote a more regular gait pattern of opposite leg to opposite arm. My other improvements include stable standing balance, the ability to do alternate knee bends on the Total Gym, and overall better control of my legs.

Click here to view my 3 year anniversary video

Looking back at the past three years, it has been an uphill battle. I wouldn’t be able to keep fighting without your support, I have made it this far because of my donors and angels. I am getting closer to my goal of walking without any assistance. My donations have decreased and in order to accomplish my goal, I need your continued help. I need to be able to continue my therapy. I know the economy is bad, but anything you can donate will help. Please donate at www.helpjenwalkagain.com to fund my fight to walk again.

Thank you!

God bless and love always,

Jen Bou Lahoud