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Jeremy's Story: It was a normal Thursday morning in Waterford, Maine. Jeremy Baker was on the second floor of a newly started colonial house when a ladder suddenly gave way causing him to fall. On his way down, he hit a support beam, which slowed the fall, but also broke his back. When he hit the concrete floor, he landed on his side, and his head smacked the concrete basement floor. An ambulance was immediately called and due to the severity of the injury, Jeremy was transported via Life Flight to Central Maine Medical Center. It looked bleak, however doctors finally determined that Jeremy had no brain trauma and staples were used to close the opening in his head. The doctors also determined that he had broken two vertebrate in his back, a severely bruised spinal cord, and that he would not be able to walk again. Jeremy is now paralyzed from the chest down.
For those of us who personally know Jeremy, we truly understand how life changing this is for him, his family, and his friends. Jeremy is a carpenter by trade working in Harrison and his livelihood depends upon his mobility. Jeremy was a survey technician at Maine Survey Consultants, Inc. He advanced rapidly from rodman to instrument man and then crew chief. In addition, he became a pretty good CAD drafter. Jeremy also hikes, snowmobiles, snowboards, rides his dirt bike, and runs around with his tireless black lab, Roscoe. Jeremy is a 26 year old man, soon to be married to a equally young lovely woman, Kate Bradley, whose wedding and future family plans have been unexpectedly interrupted by this unimaginable physical, heartbreakingly emotional, and financially devastating accident.
What is holding Jeremy and Kate, their family, and their friends together is hope: Hope that Jeremy can remain strong and determined for the long rehabilitation ahead; Hope for the family that he and Kate may still have one day; Hope for the many, many more happy times to look forward to; Hope that Jeremy’s future is still as full of potential as it ever was.
Jeremy needs us. He needs the surrounding community to come together to support him, and I know that we are up to the task.
The part of his life that is missing can be pieced together but the help he receives from all of us: his friends, his family, his supporters; people who know him by sight; generous strangers who have read this story and are inspired to help; is key.
| We Would Like To Thank All of Those Who Have Donated: (Moved to Thank You page)
| Jeremy's Progress Chart: This is where we will keep you updated on Jere's progress and fill you in with any updates along the way. | | Progress Report | | June 21st 2007 | Fell | | June 22nd 2007 | 6 Hour Surgery | | June 27th 2007 | Refused Pain Meds | | June 30th 2007 | Moved to CMMC Rehab | | July 4th 2007 | Learning to get around in a wheelchair | | July 18th 2007 | Jeremy Headed to Rehab this morning | | July 20th 2007 | Today He hit the gym! | | July 22nd 2007 | Played Pool with his family | | July 20-24th 2007 | Jeremy is involved in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, and Psychiatry. | | July 29-31st 2007 | Learned how to get back into wheelchair when tipped over, staying till the 17th to work on advanced wheelchair skills. Progressing quickly, still a great attitude, but very eager to come home. | | August 13th 2007 | Jeremy Graduates and will be home soon! | | August 17th 2007 | Jere arrives Home!!! | | August 23rd 2007 | Jere's Custom wheelchair arrives!! | | |
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