Jake's Story

On January 14, 2025, Jake's life changed in an instant. While skiing at Sunday River, he sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury, suffering a C6/C7 fracture that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was airlifted to Maine Medical Center, where emergency surgeries relieved pressure on his spinal cord and stabilized his spine. Through exceptional medical care and determination, Jake regained function in his arms, hands, and fingers.

His recovery was just beginning. After spending nearly two weeks in the ICU, Jake was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, where he completed 63 days of inpatient rehabilitation followed by 30 days in the Supportive Surroundings outpatient program. When he returned home in April, the overwhelming support of family, friends, and community members made it possible to adapt his living space and continue making progress.

Over the following year, Jake dedicated himself to ongoing rehabilitation through physical therapy at Brown University Health and activity-based training programs in Massachusetts. Along the way, he experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of specialized neuro-rehabilitation, not only on physical recovery, but also on confidence, independence, and hope. He also discovered a significant challenge facing many individuals living with paralysis: access. Opportunities for intensive, activity-based training were limited, often requiring long travel distances and creating barriers for those who needed them most.

That realization became the foundation of STRIDE SCI.

Founded to expand access to activity based training services in Rhode Island, STRIDE SCI was created to ensure that individuals living with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions have a place to continue their recovery beyond traditional therapy. More than a training facility, STRIDE SCI is a community built on resilience, connection, and the belief that progress is possible at every stage of recovery.