A Long Ride Back: Grit, Gratitude and Craig Hospital

Ten years after Jeramiah Gouin’s neurorehabilitation journey at Craig, he was finally able to give back to the hospital that helped him rebuild his life.

“On April 11, my friends and family helped me achieve my dream of organizing the first annual Race for the Impaired: Fundraiser for Craig Hospital,” Jeramiah explains. “The barrel-racing event raised $2,000 for Craig, and Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, Craig president and CEO, was in attendance to help with the fundraiser.”

Jandel shares, “Having the opportunity to see Jeramiah in his element, working alongside his family and friends in a sport he absolutely loves, was a total joy. He is an example of what’s possible when patients and their families hold fast to their dreams. We at Craig are so grateful for Jeramiah’s hard work and generosity.”

A Courageous and Selfless Role

Growing up on a ranch in Sapello, New Mexico, just north of Las Vegas, Jeramiah began riding horses at age four. His love of rodeos led him to the sport of roping and bull riding.

In his teens, he became a rodeo bullfighter—a fearless job that entails protecting fallen riders from the bull and offering an alternative target. “It’s a very dangerous job, being that close to an angry, 2,000-pound beast, but I loved it,” he says. “Until that life-changing day in 2016.”

It was Memorial Day weekend, and Jeramiah, who was 17 at the time, was training at a rodeo 90 miles from his home.

“I was trying to distract a bull from a rider who had fallen, when the animal charged me,” he recalls. “The bull tossed me and then trampled me like a pancake. I ended up with a complete spinal cord injury at my C5-C6. Not only was I unable to walk, but I also lost all motor movement in my hands and fingers.”

Built Tough, Giving Strong

Jeramiah spent the next four months at Craig for his SCI neurorehabilitation, relearning basic skills, including how to eat.

“I feel lucky that I was able to recover at Craig,” he says. “Everyone was so supportive and knowledgeable when it came to helping be gain back my independence. And it was such a family-oriented place. My parents were able to stay close to me in Family Housing, which was extremely important during the first few months after my accident.”

In addition, Jeramiah worked with Laura Magnuson, a teacher and coordinator in Craig’s donor-supported School Program.

“Laura worked closely with my high school to make sure I did not fall behind and could graduate on time with my class,” he says. “If it were not for Laura, I wouldn’t have been able to graduate when I did, which allowed me to continue on to community college for a degree in computer science and information technology.”

Today, the 27-year-old works in customer service and stays involved in the rodeo world as a judge and announcer. An Action Trackchair® allows him to navigate muddy rodeo arenas.

“Giving back to Craig is very important to me,” he explains. “It’s a heart-to-heart thing. Craig was there for me when I needed to rebuild my life, and I want to help other patients in that same situation. I will never forget how my care team taught me the importance of living life to the fullest. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day.”

 To learn more or donate to help Craig grads, like Jeramiah, please visit craighospital.org/foundation/donate.