My Biography

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I contracted Transverse Myelitis July 9, 1967. I was paralyzed from the neck down and diagnosed with TM between C5-C6 vertebras, I was 17 years old. I lay in my bed not able to move for about a month before I was transferred to a rehabilitation center. In other words I had a lot of time to think about had happened to me, that’s when I made up mind to fight this disease. I built myself back to a point I was walking, not very good, but good enough that I was able to go back to school and earn a degree. I was stubborn and didn’t listen to anybody telling me that I couldn’t do anything.

My wife of 44 years and my boys have keep me going. I've always had a strong and positive attitude, I can do anything. I just have to do it my way. I do have some bad days that creep in from time to time; however, all I had to do was look at my family and that keeps me going. I practiced my walking every chance I got. It would take me a while, but I was determined and I did it. I had to retire in 2003 because of TM. Now I can devote my time to something that I am really passionate about. I have set up a non-profit foundation with some amazing people on our board of directors; the _Mike L. Jezdimir Transverse Myelitis Foundation_. Our mission is to promote awareness and raise money to support inflammatory spinal cord research, one day we will be free from a disease that is so traumatic on patients and families. This mystery will be solved someday and I believe it will come in time to help that young child or teen to give them a better quality of life. Having TM did not stop me from finding my soul-mate for life; I graduated from college with an engineering degree, worked for 33 years to provide for my family and had two awesome boys who I am very proud of.

About 2001 I started to slow down, don’t know if it was the TM or old age. TM forced me to retire and accept disability. I’m still working hard to maintain my health. I’m limited to an electric scooter to get around. I have the support of an amazing trophy wife and some amazing family, doctors and therapists. Even my runner friends in the neighborhood support me by wearing the TM bracelets to marathons and triathlon’s they compete in. I feel honored that they would do that for me. It gives me encouragement to keep being the best I can be. Maybe someday I will be able to at least walk the streets with them.

 

 

Even though TM has knocked me down I’ve had an amazing life. I need to thank my wife Lou Ann, my kids Mike and Mark, my daughter-in-law Amanda and my grandkids Connor, Kaitlin, Tyson and Raegan. All of them have contributed to helping me to continue with my rehab and quality of life.