www.JTTownsend.com
www.JTTownsend.com
www.JTTownsend.com

Jerry Townsend, Jr. (J.T.) was born February 7, 1987 in Jacksonville, Florida and is the oldest of three children. JT suffered a spinal cord injury on Friday, October 8, 2004, in a game against Bishop Kenny High School. Despite his injury, JT has made great strides since. He received a scholarship to attend Episcopal High School in 2003. While at Episcopal, JT received many awards and recognition, including The Episcopal High School Foundation Award for Excellence of Character and the Best Athlete of the Episcopal High School Class of 2005.

JT’s football and basketball jerseys were retired in 2009 at a special ceremony for his contributions when he played in the positions of wide receiver on the football team and forward on the basketball team. He is now a college student at the University of North Florida (UNF) where he is majoring in Sports Management.

October 8, 2004 was the day
That my life kind of changed in a way.
It happened under the Friday night lights
In a football game I loved to play on nights.
After a hit I couldn't breathe or move.
I guess you can say I lost my groove.
It's too bad we lost, it was a shame.
Both of my parents were at the game.
They were calm and ever so strong,
Even though they didn't know what was wrong.
Too many people and so little time
To thank everyone following me through 		This path of mine.
I graduated in 2005 with my class.
The accident is now a thing of the past.
Now I'm in college in search of a career.
I know it is going to be hard but I am prepared.
I know I'm going to walk one day
So I am not letting anything stand in my way.
This wheelchair hasn't slowed me down one bit.
Just continue to pray because I'll get through it.
Without faith in God, I don't know where I would be.
I'm going to be his miracle child, just wait and see!