This letter I wrote to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation represents the voice of so many that care about Jermaine: Heather Baker, Jermaine's sister, Jenny Lieberman and Penny Marshall, fellow peace crusaders, and Blake Hunt, his good friend who nominated Jermaine for his new chair, and countless others. I'm happy to articulate our love and support for him, in hopes of making his life better!
Dear Darrell Gwynn Foundation:
Jermaine Fairweather is an incredibly special, church going, hardworking, intelligent young man. On a fateful day, three years ago, his life changed forever. What began as a fun night out with friends, turned to tragedy when he was gunned down in a senseless robbery. The spray of bullets rained down on him like a tsunami. He lived, but barely. Jermaine was left paralyzed by the incident.
With a very loving sister, but no money for care, he was forced to move into a deplorable state-run nursing facility where's he's left neglected by the system. No one should ever be forced to live that way – especially a wonderful young man like Jermaine, with a once very bright future.
Jermaine is one of so many paralyzed victims unable to afford the enormous medical costs associated with paralysis. Approximately 90 percent of paralyzed victims each year return to their homes, while the other 10 percent are forced to move into state run group homes. Hard to believe young men and women are living in such horrible conditions, falling through the cracks, forgotten.
Jermaine has faced one complication after another, yet he is never without a smile. While most of us are enjoying the new hope of spring, Jermaine is currently in the hospital fighting a dangerous staph infection. The caregivers at the nursing home neglected his bed sores and cries for help. He knows his body and assured them something was wrong. They didn't listen. Ultimately, his sores turned into a life-threatening blood infection. His weakened immune system left him unable to fight – sending him CODE BLUE requiring immediate resuscitation. This NEVER should have happened. Even now, scared and in pain, he smiles through the phone when we talk.
While Jermaine is under the care of the state, insurance will not pay for a new wheelchair. He is forced to use whatever old, ill-fitting chair they give him. Among the countless reasons I can list why he needs a new wheelchair, I've been told by a representative at the hospital his wounds will never properly heal in his current chair.
Jermaine is a fighter. Although faced with huge, boulder size obstacles, he's determined to build a bright future for himself. Jermaine attends TCI College of Technology in Manhattan and is poised to graduate Sept. 2012 or Jan. 2013 with a degree as an electrical engineer technician. Jermaine is also engaged to be married, hoping to someday live a normal, prosperous life.
He is a bright ball of positive energy – always. Just spend a few minutes with him and I guarantee you'll be smiling for days.
Cute story: One day recently, while traveling, I found myself sulking at a Colorado coffee shop as I nursed my pounding sinus headache with a cup of tea. Along comes a text from Jermaine with a picture of himself. Jermaine is an incredibly handsome young man most often found with perfectly coifed corn rows in his hair. This picture was not of the Jermaine that I know! What a HUGE afro! I couldn't stop laughing at the picture. I immediately replied and asked what he was doing!!?? His response, " Diana, diana, I'm gonna donate may hair to Locks of Love! I've already talked to the lady and we just need to schedule a date. I want to help. I thought you'd be proud!!!!" Boy am I proud. That's just one incredible story about Jermaine – there are countless others. Even though he has nothing, he's still thinking of others – that's Jermaine.
I am forever grateful to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation for all of the wonderful, life saving work you do! Your generosity gives hope to so many left broken by tragedy. Thank you so much for considering Jermaine for a new wheelchair! You will be saving another incredibly deserving life!!
Muah! (Jermaine's signature sign off!)
Btw: During the warm summer months, just look on any basketball court or baseball diamond and you'll find him!
THANK YOU!
This is Jermaine three years ago in the nursing home. Our good friend Penny Marshall, along with one of my best friend's sherrie, helped pull off a great little fundraiser so we could buy the boys new computers, clothes, etc... This is Jermaine's first computer! He was able to obtain his GED!!