Dawn Baird
Published: January 25, 2006
Laid back and easy-going, Nick Jones looks forward to returning to Pensacola Junior College after winning the battle against arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a congenital neurological and spinal cord disorder, undetected until three years ago.
According to the National Institutes of Health, AVM affects more than 300,000 Americans. Many don’t recover.
Twice Jones’ studies at PJC have been put aside when his symptoms intensified. He underwent Cyber Knife radiation surgery at Stanford University Hospital in California, and was the eighth patient to receive this new surgery.
Jones brought out the best in those around him when the surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down. Besides the support from his family and friends, Jones said, “I was shocked. Even those I didn’t know offered me help.”
Vicki Jones, Nick’s mother, refused to think of her son’s future as being tied to a wheelchair and knew where to go for help.
“I’m thankful for the training I attained while working with spinal cord and neurological injury patients for Vocational Rehabilitation in Fort Walton,” Vicki Jones said.
Now unit supervisor of vocational rehabilitation on PJC’s Pensacola campus, she heaps praise on the program for the invaluable help they have given Nick.
A stand-out at Navarre High School, Jones originally hoped to play baseball as a walk-on at PJC. Undaunted by setbacks, Jones said, “Life’s too short to get upset or let things bother me.”
After earning his associate’s degree at PJC, he plans to enroll in the sports marketing intern program at the University of South Alabama. Not only will he stay true to the field he loves, sports, he’ll have the opportunity to work with college and professional ball players.
With the desire to enjoy life as it was, Jones goes to physical therapy three times a week. His hard work and positive attitude have paid off. He uses a cane, no longer needing a wheelchair, and his battle nears its end.
“I’m looking forward to walking barefoot in the grass and sand,” Jones said.