Jordan Ostlund - Trampoline Accident 2004
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:42 am
I totally missed this story when it happened, and nothing was ever posted on here. I don't know the latest, this is all pretty dated.
http://www.umary.edu/UM/News/Injuredpolevaulter.htm
Injured U-Mary Pole-Vaulter Receives Support From Community and Athletes
On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, Jordan Ostlund's life changed forever. The senior pole-vaulter from Gillette, WY, was doing drills at a Bismarck gymnastics facility when he landed wrong and snapped two vertebrae in his neck. Paralyzed from the neck down, Ostlund was later transported to Wyoming to be near family for his rehabilitation and therapy. The close-knit University of Mary track and field community quickly banded together to support their injured teammate.
Within a few weeks, teammates distributed empty water cooler jugs on campus to collect donations. A Web site dedicated to Ostlund went live shortly after, complete with photos, updates and a message board. As Ostlund's condition improved, the U-Mary track and field team grew increasingly more involved in helping him recover.
"When the accident happened and he left, we couldn't stop thinking about what we could do to help," says Brad Cook, a fellow Marauder track and field athlete from Hazen, ND, and former roommate of Ostlund.
A few months later, royal blue rubber bracelets imprinted with http://www.jordanostlund.com were sold on campus and in Ostlund's hometown in Wyoming. Selling out in only 60 days, the bracelets quickly became a necessary fashion accessory on the U-Mary campus.
"More importantly than raising money, the bracelets remind us of Jordan, and they remind us to pray," says Cook. "Since the accident, we make a point to pray before every practice."
In the past six months, Ostlund has come from being paralyzed from the neck down to being paralyzed from the chest down. He is able to move two of his fingers and has partial control over his arms. His condition improves by the day, through occupational and physical therapy and the support of family and friends.
"As big of a tragedy as it is, it's also a success story," says Jared Miller, friend of Ostlund, U-Mary pole vault coach and former Marauder athlete. "Jordan has taught us that no matter what, you'll be fine."
To date, the U-Mary track and field team has raised over $3,000 (before bracelet manufacturing costs). But the fundraising hasn't ended there, 1,000 more bracelets have been ordered, and are currently being sold on campus and via Ostlund's Web site at http://www.jordanostlund.com for $5 each. Nor has support been limited to the U-Mary campus, the track and field coach at Doane College (Lincoln, NE) has contacted Miller about purchasing a bracelet for every athlete on his team. The Bismarck Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant has inquired about displaying a pole vault pole and photo of Ostlund. The Bismarck Scheels Sports store has also been contacted about selling the bracelets.
"We know that if one of us were in his position, he would be doing the same thing for us," says Cook.
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=46202
Wyoming residents rally to aid paralyzed Mary pole vaulter
Associated Press
GILLETTE, Wyo. - Residents are stepping forward to help an athlete paralyzed in a track and field accident.
Jordan Ostlund, 22, suffered a spinal-cord injury after landing on his head while practicing pole vaulting Sept. 14 for the University of Mary. The 2001 graduate of Campbell County High School was studying at the North Dakota school to be a teacher and a coach.
He was expected to be released soon this month a rehabilitation center in Colorado, three weeks earlier than expected because he has progressed so well. However, he will remain unable to walk.
About 100 friends and family members recently crowded into Gillette's Sports Bar for a charity auction. Money raised will help cover costs of items like a power wheelchair, which wasn't covered by insurance.
Auctioned items included a set of Colt Derringer pistols, Jordan's 1997 convertible and paintings by local artists. About $10,000 in raffle tickets were also sold.
The amount raised wasn't available.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandf...e/10503236.htm
Helping University of Mary athlete paralyzed in accident
Residents of Gillette, Wyoming are helping an athlete paralyzed in a track and field accident in North Dakota.
Twenty-two-year-old Jordan Ostlund suffered the spinal-cord injury after landing on his head in September. He was practicing pole vaulting for the University of Mary at the time, and was studying to be a teacher and a coach.
Ostlund will probably be released this month from a rehabilitation center in Colorado, three weeks earlier than expected. But he will remain unable to walk.
Recently, about 100 friends and family members recently crowded into Gillette's Sports Bar for a charity auction. The money they raised will help pay for items like a power wheelchair, which wasn't covered by insurance.
http://www.kxma.com/news/local.asp?ID=4679
http://www.umary.edu/UM/News/Injuredpolevaulter.htm
Injured U-Mary Pole-Vaulter Receives Support From Community and Athletes
On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, Jordan Ostlund's life changed forever. The senior pole-vaulter from Gillette, WY, was doing drills at a Bismarck gymnastics facility when he landed wrong and snapped two vertebrae in his neck. Paralyzed from the neck down, Ostlund was later transported to Wyoming to be near family for his rehabilitation and therapy. The close-knit University of Mary track and field community quickly banded together to support their injured teammate.
Within a few weeks, teammates distributed empty water cooler jugs on campus to collect donations. A Web site dedicated to Ostlund went live shortly after, complete with photos, updates and a message board. As Ostlund's condition improved, the U-Mary track and field team grew increasingly more involved in helping him recover.
"When the accident happened and he left, we couldn't stop thinking about what we could do to help," says Brad Cook, a fellow Marauder track and field athlete from Hazen, ND, and former roommate of Ostlund.
A few months later, royal blue rubber bracelets imprinted with http://www.jordanostlund.com were sold on campus and in Ostlund's hometown in Wyoming. Selling out in only 60 days, the bracelets quickly became a necessary fashion accessory on the U-Mary campus.
"More importantly than raising money, the bracelets remind us of Jordan, and they remind us to pray," says Cook. "Since the accident, we make a point to pray before every practice."
In the past six months, Ostlund has come from being paralyzed from the neck down to being paralyzed from the chest down. He is able to move two of his fingers and has partial control over his arms. His condition improves by the day, through occupational and physical therapy and the support of family and friends.
"As big of a tragedy as it is, it's also a success story," says Jared Miller, friend of Ostlund, U-Mary pole vault coach and former Marauder athlete. "Jordan has taught us that no matter what, you'll be fine."
To date, the U-Mary track and field team has raised over $3,000 (before bracelet manufacturing costs). But the fundraising hasn't ended there, 1,000 more bracelets have been ordered, and are currently being sold on campus and via Ostlund's Web site at http://www.jordanostlund.com for $5 each. Nor has support been limited to the U-Mary campus, the track and field coach at Doane College (Lincoln, NE) has contacted Miller about purchasing a bracelet for every athlete on his team. The Bismarck Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant has inquired about displaying a pole vault pole and photo of Ostlund. The Bismarck Scheels Sports store has also been contacted about selling the bracelets.
"We know that if one of us were in his position, he would be doing the same thing for us," says Cook.
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=46202
Wyoming residents rally to aid paralyzed Mary pole vaulter
Associated Press
GILLETTE, Wyo. - Residents are stepping forward to help an athlete paralyzed in a track and field accident.
Jordan Ostlund, 22, suffered a spinal-cord injury after landing on his head while practicing pole vaulting Sept. 14 for the University of Mary. The 2001 graduate of Campbell County High School was studying at the North Dakota school to be a teacher and a coach.
He was expected to be released soon this month a rehabilitation center in Colorado, three weeks earlier than expected because he has progressed so well. However, he will remain unable to walk.
About 100 friends and family members recently crowded into Gillette's Sports Bar for a charity auction. Money raised will help cover costs of items like a power wheelchair, which wasn't covered by insurance.
Auctioned items included a set of Colt Derringer pistols, Jordan's 1997 convertible and paintings by local artists. About $10,000 in raffle tickets were also sold.
The amount raised wasn't available.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandf...e/10503236.htm
Helping University of Mary athlete paralyzed in accident
Residents of Gillette, Wyoming are helping an athlete paralyzed in a track and field accident in North Dakota.
Twenty-two-year-old Jordan Ostlund suffered the spinal-cord injury after landing on his head in September. He was practicing pole vaulting for the University of Mary at the time, and was studying to be a teacher and a coach.
Ostlund will probably be released this month from a rehabilitation center in Colorado, three weeks earlier than expected. But he will remain unable to walk.
Recently, about 100 friends and family members recently crowded into Gillette's Sports Bar for a charity auction. The money they raised will help pay for items like a power wheelchair, which wasn't covered by insurance.
http://www.kxma.com/news/local.asp?ID=4679