Let's Get Jen Movin'

 
Jen was a vibrant 23 year old with her entire life ahead of her.  She had just graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Psychology where she had spent countless hours using her passion for music to serve in the SU Marching Band.  However, after               contracting what was diagnosed by doctors as a common cold, Jen suddenly collapsed on Christmas morning of 2012.  After CPR; her family and EMT’s were able to revive Jen, but her brain had been without oxygen for too long and she was left with severe brain damage.  She was later diagnosed with a blood disorder that can cause blood clots to easily form in the body.  It was those blood clots that traumatized her body on that day.

In a matter of moments, this energetic and loving young woman was left unable to breathe, speak, move or care for herself.  In the years that have followed, Jen has fought hard to regain the use of her body. She can now breathe on her own; however, she is still unable to walk or talk. 

But make no mistake about it….Jennifer Luft is still the same passionate young lady that she was before that fateful day.  She has a heart for music and she lights up when she sees certain shows or musicians.  She smiles and reacts to conversations and laughs at jokes.  She is Jen...through and through. 

Mountain Valley Hospice had the opportunity to first meet Jen as a result of the recent benefit concert that Sawyer Fredericks performed for our agency.  A mutual friend reached out to let us know that Jen is a HUGE Sawyer fan!  We initially intended to simply give Jen tickets to the concert, but once we met her and heard her story, we couldn't help but partner with her family on a deeper level.

You see, for the past four years, the Luft family has worked to find a new “normal” in this journey which they have been thrust in to.  However, due to the major medical expenses and lifestyle changes required to care for their precious daughter, the one thing that they have been unable to afford is a vehicle that Jennifer can be transported in.  Due to her condition, sitting for long periods of time is very difficult so a specialized RV is the most ideal way for her to be transported.                    

Graciously, Alpin Haus RV will be working with the family to purchase an RV at cost but then it will still need to be equipped with a lift and safety mechanisms. 

At Mountain Valley Hospice, we want to see this young woman thrive in life and live it to her fullest potential.  She is not a patient of ours, she is simply our friend.  Someone who has become part of our extended hospice family.  Therefore, we have committed to helping Jen raise the funds to be able to live out her life by having a vehicle that allows her that simple pleasure….a pleasure that most of us take for granted.                   

                      Won’t you join us on this endeavor?  

                  Life is a highway so, let’s get Jen movin! 
                                       Every penny helps!

The video below is of the moment when Jen found out that she would be meeting Sawyer Fredericks!