March, 13th 2009:Here is Jay's first day at Long Beach Memorial Hospital with his family,
and his first day in his wheelchair.
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Jay C.Thomas was born on December 1st, 1976, in Richland, WA. From childhood, Jay excelled at sports and had a love for loud music at an early age. Many considered him to have a natural athletic ability, participating in sports such as baseball, basketball, golf and later in his teen years, skateboarding. In 1983 the Thomas family picked up and moved to Orange County California were his parents raised Jay and his younger brother James-Roy together in the city of Placentia. Both attended Sierra Vista Elementary, Tuffree Middle School and El Dorado High School.
In 1996 at age 19, Jay moved to Huntington Beach, CA, where he would be closer to his job working at the Spaghetti Bender in Newport Beach, CA. While attending Orange Coast College in his 20's, Jay found it would make more sense to live closer to work and school rather than commuting back and forth from Huntington Beach. So at the age 24 he packed up shop and moved to Costa Mesa. If Jay wasn't working, often times you would find him at a local show or grabbing a cup at the nearest coffee shop killing time, telling stories and developing life long relationships that would eventually lead him to one of his great passions... surfing.
In 2007, after working two jobs as a restaurant manager and laying hardwood floors, Jay sought an end of an era working at the Spaghetti Bender and was excited about landing his new job at Mother’s Market on 17Th Street in Costa Mesa. With his sparkling personality, witty sense of humor and commitment to hard work, Jay found himself in a management position in no-time and, as always, making friends and taking names. Jay became a familiar face at Mothers Market and with Jay’s new job being closer to home, he found more time in his schedule for his friends and his endless love for surfing.
On the fateful morning of March 2nd, 2009, while surfing the south side of the pier in Huntington Beach, CA Jay suffered a C6 spinal cord injury (SCI) leaving his body limp from the chest down. With the fast acting staff of the Huntington Beach Lifeguards and a fellow fireman in the water, they got Jay to the beach safely and on his way to the hospital. With the help of an amazing medical staff, and after two successful surgeries at UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA, Jay’s injury was determined to be an incomplete spinal cord injury, leaving doctors to be very optimistic of a full recovery. On Friday, March 13, after almost 2 weeks in intensive care, Jay was transferred to The Rehabilitation Center at Long Beach Memorial Hospital where he is currently receiving physical therapy five days a week and an amazing hospital cuisine.
Still facing uncertainty of how much ability he will recover, Jay is making incredible progress on a daily basis. With Jay’s extraordinary attitude and his instinctive ability to adapt and overcome, Jay’s battle with SCI is far from over.Jay, we all love you and support you in your road to recovery in every way possible.
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Jay C.Thomas was born on December 1st, 1976, in Richland, WA. From childhood, Jay excelled at sports and had a love for loud music at an early age. Many considered him to have a natural athletic ability, participating in sports such as baseball, basketball, golf and later in his teen years, skateboarding. In 1983 the Thomas family picked up and moved to Orange County California were his parents raised Jay and his younger brother James-Roy together in the city of Placentia. Both attended Sierra Vista Elementary, Tuffree Middle School and El Dorado High School.
In 1996 at age 19, Jay moved to Huntington Beach, CA, where he would be closer to his job working at the Spaghetti Bender in Newport Beach, CA. While attending Orange Coast College in his 20's, Jay found it would make more sense to live closer to work and school rather than commuting back and forth from Huntington Beach. So at the age 24 he packed up shop and moved to Costa Mesa. If Jay wasn't working, often times you would find him at a local show or grabbing a cup at the nearest coffee shop killing time, telling stories and developing life long relationships that would eventually lead him to one of his great passions... surfing.
In 2007, after working two jobs as a restaurant manager and laying hardwood floors, Jay sought an end of an era working at the Spaghetti Bender and was excited about landing his new job at Mother’s Market on 17Th Street in Costa Mesa. With his sparkling personality, witty sense of humor and commitment to hard work, Jay found himself in a management position in no-time and, as always, making friends and taking names. Jay became a familiar face at Mothers Market and with Jay’s new job being closer to home, he found more time in his schedule for his friends and his endless love for surfing.
On the fateful morning of March 2nd, 2009, while surfing the south side of the pier in Huntington Beach, CA Jay suffered a C6 spinal cord injury (SCI) leaving his body limp from the chest down. With the fast acting staff of the Huntington Beach Lifeguards and a fellow fireman in the water, they got Jay to the beach safely and on his way to the hospital. With the help of an amazing medical staff, and after two successful surgeries at UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA, Jay’s injury was determined to be an incomplete spinal cord injury, leaving doctors to be very optimistic of a full recovery. On Friday, March 13, after almost 2 weeks in intensive care, Jay was transferred to The Rehabilitation Center at Long Beach Memorial Hospital where he is currently receiving physical therapy five days a week and an amazing hospital cuisine.
Still facing uncertainty of how much ability he will recover, Jay is making incredible progress on a daily basis. With Jay’s extraordinary attitude and his instinctive ability to adapt and overcome, Jay’s battle with SCI is far from over.Jay, we all love you and support you in your road to recovery in every way possible.
19 comments:
jay...im so glad to see the usual smile on your face, im not surprised! scott and i will be coming to bother you soon!
xoxo aimee
The website looks great! All of those pictures make me smile.
We love you Jay!
Much Love,
Roger, Lisa, & Presley Ramjet
Ditto on the webpage. Great energy from your smil'n face. And smiles right back at ya!
I don't see a beenie on your nogg'n. Hmm, knitting needles are chanting and yarn is holl'rn. Do you have some favorite colors?
Love and hugs to you!!
Auntie Gail
it's a good thing someone with taste posted good pictures for you!! i could've come up with some real black-mail shots... hehehe!!
see you soon!!
tiff
Jay,
Can't wait to get you closer so that I can fatten you up. You know that's been my goal for 16 years...I am really gonna get my opportunity...YAH!!! Want you are back in P town soon. Love you much Buddy!!! Gmom
Hi Jay,
That smile is rich and I can't wait to see it in person next weekend!
All the girls here send you lots of love and want you to know we're thinking of you!
gwen, susan, abby, emma, molly (and Hannah!)
Hi Jay and Family/Friends,
Rick and I are right by your side following your recovery progress. Go team Jay!!
Hi Jay,
Can't wait to see you Jay. You really inspire me and until we see each other, work hard and recover fast. You can do it. Best regards Scott C.
Hey Jay Man...Everyone at Mothers says Hello!! Its great to see you smiling and will come see you soon.
Howdy Jay,
So, is Salsa on your food menu? I might just have to see about sending you some of the finest. Can a person overnight salsa? Hmm... :)
Also, Rylee is anxious to send you a crayola masterpiece. Is there an address for well wishes?
Blessings,
Nicole and family
We all miss you at Mother's! It's really not the same without you and your sarcasm that most of the time I don't think is sarcasm at all. I'm excited to come and see you!
Hey Buddy! I'm sorry that I haven't been able to come see you but you are in my thoughts and prayers always. I'll get there as soon as my schedule permits and we'll tear it up! God's speed my dear friend.
Joel
Hey Jay! Happy Easter!! Wish we could be there to swap Peeps and Jelly Beans ~~~
Love, Auntie Gail and Gary2
Heeeey Jay-Bay, Ghod do we miss you!! Me and the girls at Mutha's MIIIIISSSS YOU!! But I know deep in my heart you'll be back poppin donuts in no time. . .heehee . . .The day you got hurt was the last time Saul has been in the water, too. He got a really high fever shortly thereafter. Musta been somethin in the water that day :( . So, how is it with visits yet? too weird? or do ya get tired easy still? well When we are welcome to come see mr. Rockstar V-Jay we will. Meaning me n tha Kid. Also, John sends his best. He'll prolly be . .ah. . somewhere else, or he would come with. You should see my sick new tats! Ray guns on my lower abs, like where holsters would be.And yeah, they were FREE Baby!!I put up with alot to get em, tho. Haha! Mkay, nuff O me, I'll check back soon. h.deadbright@gmail.com (Haley&Saul)
Hey Greg,Janie and Jay,
You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and I know that God is working MIRACLES in each of your lives. I feel so blessed to have known and been a part of Jay's life for 16 years cause Jay...YOU ARE THE MAN!!! What a blessing you are in so lives, but especially the Precious Princess and we both love you beyond words. Continue to breath deep and remember step 11. Can't wait till you are back in P town. Hugs and Kisses, and Kisses, and Kisses!!! God Bless all three of YOU!
Gmom
Hi Jay its Saul. I feel really bad for what happened and I really hope you get better. I really cant wait to go in the water wit you but I dont know if you'll want to. FULL RECOVERY yay!!!
hey Jay,
I hope you get better and stronger and wish you well in your recovery.
John Virata
Yo Jay,
You made a profound impression on me when I first came to the Bender. The short time we worked together I connected to your wisdom, strenght, witty sense of wacky humor which I could completely relate too....by the way. Like a rock tossed in a pond the ripples have a simple beauty and affect.....you do too.
Your cosmic playground awaits you !!!
Great to see your're making strides in the recovery. My family and I wanted to send their best wishes, regards, and prayers your way...And of course mention a huge "thank you" for wonderful service you've provided as at Spaghetti Bender over the years!! My wife and I will be at the SD show, showing our support!
With much love and respect,
Dave LaPeer and family
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