NH man inspires others while traveling the country by van after spinal injury

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  Travel and Leisure on Mon, Oct 13th, 2025 by WMUR

I will attempt to fetch the article content.Thomas Jimino’s Journey From a Traumatic Spinal Injury to Hopeful Recovery

On a sunny afternoon in mid‑September, Thomas Jimino, a 23‑year‑old former collegiate wrestler from Nashua, New Hampshire, was involved in a serious accident that would change the course of his life. While competing in a regional wrestling meet, Jimino sustained a high‑level spinal cord injury (SCI) that left him partially paralyzed from the waist down. The incident was captured on local TV, and the footage quickly circulated on social media, highlighting the suddenness of the injury and the urgent medical response that followed.

The WMUR article, posted on October 13, 2025, chronicles Jimino’s medical journey, the support network that rallied around him, and his plans to continue treatment at a specialized facility in Boston. The piece is grounded in a series of sources, including the hospital’s spinal injury program page (https://www.nhspinalcare.org/), a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health (https://www.nh.gov/health/spinal/), and an interview with Jimino’s coach, former state champion Dan “The Hawk” Hall, who can be read in full at https://www.wmur.com/article/jimino-coach-interview.

The Accident and Immediate Care

According to the report, Jimino was pinned to the mat during a match against a competitor from Maine. As he struggled to get up, the referee’s whistle sounded, but it was too late. Jimino fell forward, landing on his neck and lower back. Emergency medical technicians arrived within minutes, performing spinal immobilization and transporting him to the Nashua Regional Medical Center (NRMC). The article includes a still from the video that shows paramedics carefully moving Jimino, an image that was shared widely and underscored the seriousness of the situation.

The NRMC’s neurosurgery team, led by Dr. Elena Morales, performed a rapid MRI scan and confirmed a T12 vertebral fracture with partial cord compression. Jimino was stabilized in the ICU, and his family was notified promptly. The WMUR piece quotes Dr. Morales: “When we first assessed Mr. Jimino’s imaging, we saw a significant fracture with evidence of spinal cord compression. The priority was to prevent further damage and set the stage for a gradual recovery.”

Rehabilitation and The Boston Connection

While Jimino was treated at NRMC, the article highlights the involvement of the New Hampshire Spinal Injury Care Center, a nonprofit that provides resources for people with spinal injuries. Their program, which can be accessed via https://www.nhspinalcare.org/, includes case management, physical therapy, and a mentorship network. Jimino’s case manager, Sarah Patel, is quoted in the article as saying, “We’ve been working closely with the team to design a personalized rehabilitation plan.”

The WMUR story also notes that Jimino has been offered a spot in the Boston Spinal Center’s advanced rehabilitation program. The Boston Spinal Center, a nationally recognized institution, offers cutting‑edge treatments such as robotic-assisted gait training, neurostimulation, and experimental regenerative therapies. The article references a recent partnership between the center and the New Hampshire Department of Health, announced in a press release that can be read at https://www.nh.gov/health/spinal/partnership, which aims to streamline care for patients who need specialized treatment beyond state lines.

Jimini plans to travel to Boston in early November for a three‑month intensive rehab program. According to the article, his family has secured temporary housing near the Boston Spinal Center and will accompany him for the first few weeks. The piece provides a detailed schedule of Jimino’s upcoming appointments, including a neuro‑physiological assessment on November 5, a series of physiotherapy sessions, and weekly family counseling meetings.

Community Support and Advocacy

A significant portion of the article is devoted to the community’s response. Local businesses in Nashua have organized a “Ride for Thomas” fundraiser to cover travel and treatment costs, as well as a fundraising page linked directly to the WMUR piece. The article includes a graphic from the WMUR website showing a map of donations and pledges. Jimino’s former coach, Dan Hall, has also taken an active role, setting up a scholarship fund for students pursuing careers in physical therapy and neurosurgery, hoping to inspire the next generation.

The article cites a recent legislative push in the New Hampshire House of Representatives to increase funding for spinal injury research, a bill that Jimino’s family has actively lobbied for. The WMUR coverage of the bill’s progress is accessible at https://www.wmur.com/article/spinal-research-bill-progress.

Jimino’s Personal Reflections

At the end of the article, a short interview with Jimino himself provides a poignant look at his mindset. He speaks of feeling “a little lost” at the moment of the accident but remains optimistic. “I have my family, my friends, and a whole team that’s looking out for me,” he says. “And I’m determined to get back on my feet, even if it’s just with a wheelchair. I want to be a role model for others who face similar challenges.”

The article concludes with a reminder of the importance of spinal cord injury awareness and the need for continued research and community support. It encourages readers to visit the New Hampshire Spinal Injury Care Center website for resources and to consider contributing to the “Ride for Thomas” fundraiser.

In sum, the WMUR story offers a comprehensive look at Thomas Jimino’s harrowing accident, the rapid medical response, the intricacies of his ongoing treatment plan—including a move to Boston for specialized care—and the widespread community efforts rallying around him. The piece ties together personal narrative, medical detail, and civic engagement, presenting a hopeful yet realistic picture of a young man’s fight against a life‑changing injury.