Chattanooga: Teen’s foundation gains international acclaim

Losing both his legs in a tragic boating accident could have ruined Jordan Thomas’ life, soured a promising golfing career or dashed his dreams attending the College of Charleston.

But it didn’t. Instead, the McCallie School graduate and college sophomore is helping others who have lost limbs through a foundation he set up to help underprivileged children buy expensive prosthetics.

And the Jordan Thomas Foundation is winning international acclaim for its good works.

“Jordan could have felt sorry for himself, and thought ‘Why me?’ and not gotten out of bed in the morning,” said his father, Dr. Vic Thomas. “He decided to go the other way with this.”

Since its inception in 2005, the foundation has raised about $350,000 to help youngsters from low-income families buy prosthetics. The foundation has assisted three young people so far.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals recently named Mr. Thomas the winner of the 2009 Changing Our World, William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy for the 18-23 age group. The honor is presented annually by the foundation. Mr. Thomas will accept the award at a convention in New Orleans in March. More than 170 people were nominated for the honor.

“We chose Jordan for his extraordinary story, which is incredibly moving and compelling, but also for the amazing work he’s done,” said Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the association. “It’s extraordinary what he’s done, but it’s also an example to other kids out there that, regardless of what’s happened, you can make a difference in the community.”

Mr. Thomas dreamed up the concept for his foundation while in the hospital recovering from the boating accident in which his legs were both severed from the calves down.

“After my accident in the Florida Keys, I was airlifted to a hospital in Miami where I saw so many kids that couldn’t afford prosthetic care,” the 19-year-old said. “My legs cost $36,000, and kids during their growing years might need a new set every 18 months.”

As the son of two neonatologists, Mr. Thomas admits he’s lucky his family could afford the expensive legs that allow him to play golf and lead an active life. To help others, he’s called on his family’s friends and other Chattanooga residents to donate to his cause through an annual golf tournament and other fundraisers.

“We’ve got a lot of great friends, and there are a ton of people who have been very generous, but it’s going to take a lot more work,” Mr. Thomas said. “We have to provide for these kids for a long time.”

The Thomases want to provide help to the neediest families, though Dr. Thomas says sometimes families with good insurance may be unable to afford prosthetics. He says insurance often limits patients to just one set per lifetime, or cap the amount that can be spent on the limbs at several thousand dollars.

Mr. Thomas said his recent award is an affirmation that he’s doing good things.

“My main reason for starting it was to turn something negative into something positive,” Mr. Thomas said. “Although I was in a terrible accident ... I realized that I could do something to help these children get the basic necessities they needed to be successful.”