Support Jerry Deel's Inspiring Recovery Journey

It’s time to share this strong guy’s story…

Where do I start ?

When I think about my Dad, Jerry Deel, I think about strength and drive. Known by his kids and grandkids as “Pop” this is a man that is invincible, Superman, the guy who would do anything for anyone and invite a stranger to sit at his table on a holiday because he knows everyone deserves a little help now and again. He has worked hard his whole life to give back to his family.

Thanksgiving night 11/28/2024, was a reminder that even the strongest people in our lives can experience trauma. That night, on our Pop’s favorite holiday after spending the day with friends and family and chasing his grand-babies around, he experienced a fall that caused a neck fracture with a spinal cord injury and paralysis. After his admission to the ICU, he quickly developed pneumonia requiring intubation. His initial prognosis was that if he pulled through he would be dependent on mechanical ventilation and very unlikely to gain any sense of independency, possibly never return back home. He would not eat, walk even breathe independently.

Every day since has been filled with steps forward and sometimes steps backwards. From that day we had to choose if we were going to see the glass half empty or half full. We decided from that day on to celebrate every success; from him communicating with us with blinks of his eyes or communicating with a letter board, to his transition to a tracheostomy when eventually he could whisper to us and then the removal of the trach when finally, we could hear his voice again (and boy did he have a lot to say). We kept hope alive that he would continue to improve and looked forward to what was next.

Shortly after the new year he was transferred to Jefferson Magee Rehab Hospital in Philadelphia for a specialized SCI rehabilitation program with high hopes that this positive momentum would propel him to keep beating the odds. I still remember those initial days when things weren’t looking so good , his wife and my step-mom Penny would say “your dad doesn’t just say he will do something, he manifests things” and this has proven to be true. So far Dad is 3 weeks into his therapy against all odds and that initial prognosis lingering, he is doing things today we had only hoped and prayed he could do again. This man is manifesting his recovery. He is using his hands and upper body, eating on his own, starting to walk with assisted devices and getting stronger and stronger every day. His Care team at Jefferson is amazed at his drive and progress thus far and this week referred to him triumphantly as their “star patient”.

We know the future brings both feelings of excitement and uncertainly about his overall long-term mobility as every spinal cord injury is unique, but what we do know is that this man has an indomitable will. As if he already needed a gold medal platform to stand on, this man has always been ‘my person’, my hero, and once again he found a way to take his elevation one step higher. He has impressed me everyday with his motivation and willingness to face every obstacle no matter the difficulty it brings. He has inspired me.

We all believe in him and know that if there is anyone who can do the impossible, it is him. Life is tough but our Pop is tougher! We are hoping these extra funds will aide in the necessary home and transportation modifications as he is anxious to be home sweet home ! Thank you for helping us share his story and remember to always hold on to hope like we did. You just never know what tomorrow will bring !

Check out our video for a little inspiration

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