Help 14‑Year‑Old Jacob Rebuild His Life After an Accident
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$46,470 raised of $150K
90 donations
Jacob Johnson is our 14‑year‑old nephew, and on March 2, 2026, our family’s world changed in an instant. Jacob was involved in a devastating accident that left him with severe orthopedic and internal injuries, along with a severe brain injury which has left him paralyzed on his left side.
He spent six weeks at a pediatric ICU in St. Louis fighting through multiple surgeries, setbacks, and painful procedures. His strength and courage during that time were nothing short of remarkable for this young man.
Jacob is now in intensive inpatient rehabilitation in St. Louis (over 3 hours from home) where he is facing the hardest fight of his life. Every day he works through physical, occupational, and speech therapy, some of which is very painful. Right now, he has no movement on his left side, but we and his medical team are hopeful that therapy may help restore some function over time. While there are still many unknowns, what is certain is Jacob’s determination—he shows up every day (even when it is hard) ready to fight for every bit of progress he can make.
If you don’t know Jacob personally, he is an active, adventurous kid who loves riding dirt bikes, fishing, playing baseball, and chute dogging at the rodeo. He’s also a straight‑A student who takes pride in working hard and pushing himself, both in and out of the classroom. He’s surrounded by a loving family and many close friends who have been by his side every step of the way. We are praying that his ongoing rehab will lead to the best possible outcome so he can once again enjoy the things he loves.
What Jacob Needs Before Returning Home
Our family is praying and working toward bringing Jacob home by August. To make that possible, all three of these major needs must be in place before he can safely make it home.
- A Power Standing Wheelchair & Adaptive Equipment ($55,000): Because of his left-side paralysis, Jacob requires an advanced, custom-engineered power standing chair. This vital piece of technology allows him to safely transition from sitting to standing. Medically, this is crucial to maintain his bone density, improve blood circulation, and prevent dangerous pressure sores. Psychologically, it gives a 14-year-old boy the invaluable gift of looking his family and friends in the eye.
- Home Accessibility Renovations (Approx. $60,000): Jacob cannot return home until the house is structurally renovated to accommodate his needs. This includes building exterior ramps, widening doorways for a large power chair, and overhauling a bathroom for roll‑in accessibility and safe transfers. These are permanent, essential changes—not optional upgrades.
- A Wheelchair‑Accessible Vehicle ($60,000): We have located a reliable used van already modified with an automatic wheelchair lift and securement system. This is an absolute necessity to safely transport Jacob to his ongoing medical and intensive therapy appointments. We have recently been introduced to a local charity who has agreed to pick up 1/2 of the cost.
Why We Are Asking for $150,000 — and Why It Still Won’t Cover Everything
While insurance covers part of his care, many of these essential needs are not covered. To give Jacob the best chance at rebuilding his independence, our family is working to raise $150,000. This amount represents only a part of the total cost to get Jacob home.
There will still be significant gaps—ongoing therapy, adaptive equipment, medical supplies, and future modifications as Jacob grows and his needs change.
Our family is doing everything we can to fill in the gaps ourselves. We are also pursuing every available resource, including charitable organizations that support children with catastrophic injuries. We are grateful for their involvement, but even with outside assistance, the financial needs remain far beyond what any single organization or family can manage alone.
If you are able to help—whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser—our family would be deeply grateful. Every contribution brings Jacob one step closer to the mobility, safety, and quality of life he deserves.
For more details and updates on Jacob’s progress, please visit the Jacob Strong page on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5134328500125692/