A local man has been paralyzed from the chest down after a dirt bike crash, according to a various announcements from friends, family and himself.
Jason Norwood, 27, of Howell, was paralyzed as the result of a crash July 13 on a friend’s private track in South Lyon, according to a statement from family friend Ashley Muir.
Norwood was life-flighted to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, she said, and suffered severe trauma to his T7 and T8 vertebrae, a head injury, multiple broken ribs and neck fractures.
His loved ones are seeking financial support from the community to help with his recovery, which is expected to be long and difficult. They’ve created a GoFundMe that’s so far raised $110,785 of $175,000, with 695 donations as of 12 p.m. July 16. The Pound Bar and Grill of Brighton shared the fundraiser, calling Norwood “one of our own.”
Norwood, too, shared the post on Facebook, adding: “Dawn (sic) bad my friends. Paralyzed … anything helps my recovery.” In the comments, he added, “I’m having a really tough time and I could use all the love.”
In a fundraiser update July 15, family members said Norwood has been moved to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and has full movement of his arms and hands, “something we’re incredibly grateful for.”
“He’s truly touched by the outpouring of love, support and generosity,” fundraiser organizers wrote. “We all are.”
Norwood is known for “his magnetic personality, sharp wit and unmatched versatility,” Muir wrote.
After he’s stable, Norwood will be moved to an inpatient rehabilitation center to begin the recovery process, according to Muir, which could include months of intensive physical therapy.
“The road ahead will involve extensive medical care, rehabilitation, equipment and time away from work, all of which come with significant costs,” fundraiser organizers wrote.
Regardless, they said, Norwood won’t give up.
“To know Jason is to love him. His high energy, grit, and determination are impossible to miss. If you know him, you know that giving up is not something he knows.”
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: ‘All the love’: Howell man, 27, paralyzed after dirt bike crash in South Lyon
Reporting by Evan Sasiela, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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