Former Shepherd Center Patient has a Heart for Adventure
From camping to kayaking, you can usually find John Simpson outdoors.
If the weather’s favorable, you might have some trouble finding John Simpson, 22, of Jackson, Tenn. A suggestion, though: Try the shores of the Tennessee River. Look for a tent along the sandbars or a kayak out on the water. Not there? Maybe he’s out riding his all-terrain vehicle in the woods, or racing his wheelchair for miles around town.
“I love getting outdoors,” John says. “A lot of times, I like just going out by myself, camping or fishing. I spend a lot of time along the river. I love being able to stay active.”
Three years ago, he was in an automobile accident and sustained a T-8 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed below the waist. John spent four months at Shepherd Center during his recovery, working toward his independence.
“The staff taught me so much,” John says. “And they encouraged me to do all this stuff that I’m interested in. I feel like they’re family now. I’ve stayed in touch with a lot of people from Shepherd Center on Facebook.”
It’s surprising he has time for Facebook. In addition to his outdoor activities, he’s worked multiple jobs. For one, with a landscaping company, John mows grass on a riding lawnmower. He’s also pursuing a business degree through an online program for working adults at Union University. John is thinking about a career in aircraft electronics. He’s already taught himself how to build aerial drones.
John also has a more personal dream: To use his athleticism as a way to raise awareness, he’s thought about pushing long-distance in his chair. His family and friends could be his support team, just as they were during his time at Shepherd Center. Of course, there would be camping along the way – and fundraising for a good cause. Recently, in Jackson, he made it 13 miles around town in a single afternoon.
“That’s something I can do,” John says. “I love it. I can start pushing and I just don’t stop. I’d love to do something along the lines of that kind of adventure. That would be incredible.”
By Phillip Jordan
Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.