Support USBP Chaplain J.Thomas's Recovery

On January 6, 2025 my husband Jaysun, a United States Border Patrol Agent, suffered a medical emergency that has resulted in partial paralysis, uncertainty about our family's future, and an unexpected financial burden that we are humbly seeking relief from.

Jaysun is an ordained minister who has served God in unconventional ways since his teenage years. He is my husband of nearly 20 years. He is a father to our 8 children, ages 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 4, and a baby girl stillborn into heaven 2.5 years ago.

Jaysun has served our nation for 15 years as a Border Patrol agent. He joyfully chose to serve his brothers and sisters in green by becoming a Border Patrol Chaplain in 2012 while stationed in Presidio, TX. Jaysun continued his chaplaincy work in Detroit Sector, spearheading the formation of the Detroit Sector Chaplaincy Program. Jaysun has supported his fellow agents through everything from baby blessings to medical crisis to line-of-duty death family support to TEIR team deployments into hurricane ravaged areas.

Jaysun has led a life of service to God, his family, his nation and his fellow man but now needs significant help himself.

On January 6, 2025, Jaysun suffered a spinal cord injury that resulted in his lower body being totally paralyzed. An extreme disc herniation in Jaysun’s lumbar spine led to Cauda Equina Syndrome. Surgeons performed an emergency spinal surgery with "life or death" prioritization; this was Jaysun’s best chance to potentially regain function of his lower body.

After surgery Jaysun did recover some function but he still suffers from partial paralysis. On January 15, 2025, Jaysun was moved into an inpatient rehabilitation facility where the goal is to help him become independent again. Doctors remain optimistic about recovery but Jaysun's prognosis is defined in months and "ifs"; there is no quick fix or definitive answers with this diagnosis.

Medical staff have indicated that Jaysun might be able to return home in a couple of week's time with leg braces, a walker and a wheelchair. He will continue outpatient therapy 2-3 times a week while his body heals and strengthens.

This situation has resulted in a lot of uncertainty about the future of our large family and Jaysun's career as an agent. We know that our Green family will do their utmost to help us, but it might be a year before we realize the full extent of Jaysun's recovery.

In the meantime, we know our medical bills are going to be at least $10,000 this year. We know that there are home modifications that will have to be done in order to get Jaysun home. (A two-story house, with the bedrooms and the only full bathroom on the second level, is the least ideal for someone dependent on a walker or wheelchair.) The entry stairs alone will be a challenge if Jaysun is not able to climb stairs when he returns home so ramps will have to be installed.

I have already received estimates for modifications that range from a few thousand dollars for the most pressing changes to our home (ramps, handrails, etc.) to upwards of $50,000 to create a main floor bedroom and bathroom out of our garage for Jaysun’s use.

Additionally, we will need to modify one or both of our vehicles to accommodate hand controls so that Jaysun can drive.

Any financial donation will help relieve some of the financial burden that Jaysun carries as the only income provider for our family. We will use the funds to pay medical bills, pay for home alterations, vehicle alterations, and for covering the additional unexpected expenses that arise when your loved one is in the hospital an hour from home.

If you would like to send a card or words of encouragement to Jaysun or the family, you can mail them to:

PO Box 194

Richmond, MI 48062

If you're in the area and personally know us, feel free to visit, we would love to see you.

Above all, please pray for our family. God has been such a strength and comfort to us through some truly heart-wrenching times, and we appreciate all of the prayers that have been offered on our behalf through this medical crisis.

God Bless,

Traci Thomas