drew merrifield
grant recipient
Drew at 14 years old sustained a Spinal Cord Injury at C1-C4 level on June 30, 2020 while performing a trick on his backyard trampoline in Poway, CA. His older bother alerted his parents that Drew was seriously hurt and not breathing well. When Drew's parents found him he was not moving, having trouble breathing and turning purple. First responders were on the scene quickly to save Drew's life assisting him with his breathing and rushing him off to the emergency room. Within 3 hours after the accident he was getting surgery to perform a C2-C3 spinal fusion removing pressure on his spinal cord and allowing him the best chance for a full recovery. Drew's parents were given mixed opinions about their son's recovery. Some doctors said you never know what may happen while others told them he would never walk or use his hands again. Miraculously, by August he was able to walk out of the hospital rehab center with some function of his hands, legs, and off a ventilator. Shortly after returning home he began In-home therapy though a grant received from Thriving After SCI. The grant has helped him reach his goals of being an active teenager again and playing high school baseball. Through prayers, his hard work and many in home therapy sessions Drew was able to miraculously play baseball this year for the freshman team at Poway High School achieving his dream to continue to play the game he loves.