JDB Foundation

The Jon David Bruning Special Needs Trust

Phillippians 4:13

​The message is from the friends and family of Jon David Bruning:   ​

On July 6th, 2013, Jon David Bruning was floating the Elk River in Missouri with some friends. In an instant, a good time turned into a nightmare. While diving off a low bridge into unexpectedly shallow water, his head struck rocks on the bottom of the river causing extensive damage to the C5 and C6 vertebrae in his neck/back.  

After being medivac’d to a hospital in Joplin, he was then flown to UAMS in Little Rock where he underwent surgery to stabilize and correct his spine. Following a short recovery in the UAMS ICU, he was moved to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent 3 months undergoing intensive rehabilitation to further stabilize his condition.  Shepherd Center is one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the nation, specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury or brain injury (www.shepherd.org).  

JD is currently living in Maumelle where he remains paralyzed from the chest down. JD's parents graciously serve as his 24/7 caregivers while JD continues therapy five days a week with three different therapists. Although this is an intense routine, the family feels that right now is JD's best chance at regaining movement and independence.  

While the outpouring of love and support for JD from family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers has been extraordinary, the Brunings still face months of rehabilitation, long-term care and other medical expenses related to JD’s injuries.   

How to Contact the Support Group and the Family ​Send your emails to foundationjdb@gmail.com.  You can also keep up with Jon David's progress via his Caring Bridge Website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jondavidbruning or Jacki’s Facebook Page @ Jacki Jefferson Bruning.