Help A Salisbury College Student Take His Best Shot At Walking Again

James  Cook of Salisbury, a 20 year old Virginia Tech sophomore, Naval ROTC Cadet, and 2009 graduate of Wicomico High School, suffered a spinal cord injury seven months ago in an accident while a passenger in a vehicle taking part in a VT Corp of Cadet event.  James and his family have been advised by doctors and surgeons that it is unlikely he will walk again.  Despite the enormity of what he now faces, James’ courage and strength of character won’t allow him to accept that his prognosis may be permanent or that his life plans and goals must be altered.

           

James retains a positive and determined spirit.  He is an Eagle Scout who has given many hours of service to his community including the landscape and construction of the Kratzer Memorial at the Salisbury Zoo.  James graduated summa cum laude from Wicomico High School with a 4.67 GPA.  During all four years of high school, he was a member of the JROTC and was selected his senior year to serve as the Battalion Commander.  He played junior varsity football, as well as varsity soccer and lacrosse.  He was captain of his lacrosse team during his junior and senior years.  He spent summers in high school as a Boy Scout counselor at Henson Scout Reservation and worked his high school senior and college freshman summers as a lifeguard in Ocean City.  He applied and was nominated to the Naval Academy his senior year of high school, but ultimately he accepted Virginia Tech’s offer to be part of their Honors Engineering Program and a member of their Corps of Cadets and Naval ROTC programs.  His dream was to graduate from VT with a degree in aeronautical engineering and to be a Naval Aviator.  Though his dream of flying planes for the Navy appears lost, James continues to think a great deal about his future.  He is making plans to return to Virginia Tech in the fall of 2011 as a civilian student.  He continues to fight for the chance to walk again.

           

Family and friends invite the public to join them on June 3, 2011 at the Fountains in Salisbury for a celebration and fundraiser that will include music, light fare, a silent and live auction, and the sale of raffle tickets for a beautiful 1998 Silver BMW Convertible.  Tickets can be purchased at Hebron Bank on Carroll Street, Community Pharmacy on S. Salisbury Blvd., and the sale office of the Fountains of Salisbury.  All proceeds from the event will help James continue with his future which will include a month long trip to  Project Walk in Carlsbad, California this June and July.  Project Walk is an intensive physical therapy program designed specifically for people with spinal cord injuries (www.projectwalk.org).   Donations and gifts are welcomed for this fundraiser and can be dropped off at Community Pharmacy on S. Salisbury Blvd., or call 410-430-8888 to have someone pick up your donation.  If you would like more information about this event, go to http://www.19willwalk.org/