Late last year, I thought we'd almost lost Joustin. What started as a scary night turned into months of uncertainty and surgery for what would be a hard-fought battle for his life. What Joustin has faced in the last six months is nothing short of a nightmare but also a miracle that he is still with us and making dedicated progress towards recovery. His story is best shared in his own words below, so please read on.

 

We wanted to start this GoFundMe to help contribute to the insane amount of medical expenses that have stacked up and to help him better prepare for this next handi-capable chapter of his life.

 

Joustin, we are all so proud of how you've handled yourself through what is a most unimaginable situation, your dedication to physical therapy and the progress you've already made is truly astonishing. Can't wait to see how far you'll continue to go!

 

Joustin's Story

A few months ago my life came to an abrupt halt…On the evening of December 19th, I was taking it easy at home. When suddenly I have a very aggressive seizure (I bit almost 1/3 of my tongue off) and passed out. I had some caring friends who checked up on me and called 911. I was taken to the ER and received an MRI & CAT scan to ensure it wasn’t a stroke. They found 4 abscesses on my spine, which turned out to be bone eating bacteria. I was rushed to spinal surgery which consisted of a laminectomy on T4-9 bones, fusing the T2-9 vertebrae, and a corpectomy on T5-7. I know it sounds like a lot, because in all actuality it was. I woke up paralyzed from the waist down and have been in the hospital recovering ever since.

 

I've tried my hardest to be kind, thoughtful, supportive and genuine. I’ve always lived according to the most authentic version of myself, but this season is forcing me to see another version of me. This has become the most difficult chapter of my life. It has pushed me to the direction I need to go (including going through some pretty dark times)…freeing me to FULLY allow help into my life and to love myself, flaws included.

 

Life is about people showing up. A lot has changed in the last 5 months, but love is a constant and I’m very very loved. The outpouring of love from all the people, even the ones I didn’t think would show up… has just been astonishing. Truly incredible. It literally has been a lifesaver. To those who have supported me during this time - I am humbled and eternally grateful. Who I am right now - the sense of optimism I have right now - is because of all of you.

 

Here’s to navigating the most challenging, exquisite, unknown journey that rests ahead. Looking forward to it with joy and being the new version of me…just in a wheelchair