A daughter’s love for her father inspires special gift
Birthdays are one of life’s special moments. They mark the passing of time and give each of us a chance to celebrate life, love and friendship. They are our day to be celebrated.
This year Jordann Campbell’s birthday was particularly special. Not only did she turn 13, an important milestone in anyone’s life, she decided to give up presents. It was an idea that she had thought about for a while. As she sat down with her friend Clare to write her invitations to her summer pool party, she asked each of her friends to make a donation in support of spinal cord research at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Hospital.
What would inspire such a selfless act? For Jordann it was for the love of her father, Steve.
Steve Campbell has a spinal cord injury.
It was summer vacation for the Campbell family. A time for Jordann, her dad, mom Patti, and brother Liam to enjoy each other and the sports they love. But then the unthinkable happened.
While mountain biking with Liam, Steve performed a move on an apparatus at a bike park. His bike flipped over and he landed on his head. Unable to move, he was airlifted to a hospital in London.
He suffered a spinal cord injury and spent five long months in rehabilitation at Parkwood Hospital’s spinal cord injury program.
While in hospital Steve became part of an exciting 12 week clinical trial for Functional Electric Stimulation. In the study, electrodes were attached to Steve’s quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The muscles were sequentially stimulated so he could pedal a bike. As Steve pedaled his bike, you could actually see his muscle being stimulated by the machine. The trial was so successful it was incorporated into the clinical spinal cord injury program. Steve returns on a weekly basis for Functional Electrical Stimulation.
It is because of your contributions that research projects focusing on spinal cord injuries have been possible.
Your gifts have also supported the purchase of rehabilitation equipment used by patients with spinal cord injuries, recovering from stroke, amputation and other debilitating conditions. Your investment is helping people to live their lives to the fullest.
By giving up her own birthday gifts this year, Jordann has touched the lives of so many others. “We’re so proud of her,” says her mom Patti. “Kids are into themselves. So for someone to want to help others, it’s so selfless, so caring and so thoughtful.”
Jordann’s birthday donation of more than $330 will make a difference to future projects in spinal cord research. Truly dedicated, Jordann is already planning another event next year to raise additional funds for supporting spinal cord research.
For her generosity, we will celebrate Jordann for the days and weeks to come.
Inspired by Jordann's generosity? Consider making a donation.
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