What began as a routine day teaching physical education quickly turned into a life-altering experience for Tom. During the second year of his tenure as a high school PE and history teacher in California, Tom began feeling unwell during class. By the time he arrived home early from school, he had lost all feeling in the lower half of his body.

After being transported to the hospital by ambulance, doctors performed a spinal tap that officially confirmed his MS diagnosis. Though he had experienced a previous exacerbation years earlier, this episode marked a significant turning point, forcing Tom and his family to move from a two-story home to a single-level residence.

Today, Tom uses a power wheelchair and requires a Hoyer lift for transfers to any other apparatus. Despite these obstacles, Tom continues working and striving to provide for his family, with hopes of continuing his career for another 3-5 years.

Tom found Adapt Functional Movement Center, which is the only facility he's found in two decades equipped to address his specific needs. He hopes to continue attending sessions so we can work and support his family for as long as possible.

“My Victory Scholarship provides another avenue of hope that I can continue my physical therapy, which reduces my pain and fatigue from MS. Your donation gave me the physical ability to attend my son's football games during his senior year.”