Editorial
Front Page - Friday, November 13, 2009
Vote Jordan Thomas CNN Hero of the Year
Samara Litvack
Several hundred students, parents and members of the community gathered at the Hunter Museum of American Art last Friday morning when CNN came to town to rally support for Jordan Thomas, one of 10 nominees for the network’s Hero of the Year award. From more than 9,000 people nominated for their sacrifices and accomplishments, the McCallie School graduate and his Jordan Thomas Foundation were selected as a nominee for the prestigious honor.
Thomas was 16 years old when he became a double amputee during a family scuba diving trip in the Florida Keys. After jumping into the water, the boat’s wake pulled him under and the propellers severed both his legs at the calf.
His parents — both doctors — saved their son’s life by stopping the bleeding, getting the boat to shore and calling paramedics. Thomas underwent two weeks of surgeries at the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami and when he returned home to begin physical rehabilitation, he brought with him a new sense of purpose.
Thomas knew he was fortunate to have a family that could afford top-notch prosthetics, but he had met others in the hospital who weren’t so lucky. He started his foundation to provide financial assistance to children who’d experienced traumatic injuries.
Today, the Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 for children whose families cannot afford prosthetic limbs. And, if selected as the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, the Jordan Thomas Foundation will receive $100,000 for its cause.
“I just want to say thank you all so much for being here,” Thomas said at the rally. “You guys have been such great support since day one. Being recognized as a CNN Hero is a huge honor, and I’m the face of that … but I think it’s a testament to the community in which we live. We have so many phenomenal places and schools and people here. This really wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you.”
Stan Patterson, Thomas’ prosthetist, flew in from Florida to support him at the rally.
“When Jordan was hurt in that boating accident, he came within an inch of losing his life,” Patterson said.
“He started seeing a lot of people out there were not getting what they deserve with the prosthesis. Insurance companies would say, ‘We don’t cover it,’ if they had insurance. Or they would only cover a portion of it. Jordan decided to do something about that, and that’s what a hero does. A hero promotes change in a bad situation.”
Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey commended Thomas on his dedication to the cause and, on behalf of Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga, proclaimed Nov. 6, 2009, Jordan Thomas Day.
“We’re so very proud of this young man and what he is doing for service to our country and the people who are in need,” Ramsey said.
Sen. Bob Corker also honored Thomas via pre-recorded video message.
“What an example he is,” Corker said. “All of us who have had the opportunity to know what’s happened in his life and see how he’s turned that into something that’s positive for people in our community and people all across this country. I feel like it’s a privilege to know Jordan, to watch him in action. It uplifts me and I know it does all of you.”
Corker encouraged everyone to keep voting for Thomas at the CNN Web site, and he promised his entire family was doing the same.
“Let’s all continue in every way we can to support him financially and let’s watch him as he moves on to become the CNN Hero of the Year,” Corker said. “Jordan, we’re with you, we love you and we thank you.”
Visit www.cnn.com/hero to vote for Thomas as CNN’s Hero of the Year. The site accepts unlimited voting and the winner will be announced on CNN by Anderson Cooper, Thanksgiving Day at 9 EST.
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