New for Thanksgiving: Inspiring Story of Hope from ShepherdTV.org features Cleveland's John Trimbath and his amazing recovery following a serious accident

A full year after a freak accident, Cleveland area resident John Trimbath is thankful for a great deal this holiday season. The support of the Cleveland VA, Shepherd Center in Atlanta and his family and friends, has allowed him to get back to living his life to the fullest. Visit ShepherdTV.org starting November 25 to watch John’s uplifting Story of Hope. End Quote

Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH (1888PressRelease) November 25, 2009 - A LITTLE DIFFERENT TWIST ON: “WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR” Cleveland Man’s Thanksgiving List Different Than The Average Joe’s

This holiday season, many people are thankful for things that may not have made their list in years past: a job, a roof over their heads, a drivable car and grocery money. For some, these items are a day-to-day struggle. For Cleveland area resident John Trimbath, his Thanksgiving gratitude list for 2009 is indeed different than in 2008 when he was newly paralyzed after a freak accident. While John has always been grateful for the love of family and friends, this year he’s thankful that his family and friends, old and new, have helped him get back to life.

The subject of a new Story of Hope on ShepherdTV.org that will debut in time for Thanksgiving, John Trimbath’s life has changed a great deal since he fell off a mechanical bull in October of last year. A friendly, caring, career Physician Assistant and devoted family man, John has realized that he can count on his deep connections in ways he never could have predicted. Call it karma, call it payback or pay it forward – whatever you want to call it – John is a man who could be wallowing in self-pity, but instead he lives in abundance. Here’s a sampling of John’s Thanksgiving 2009 gratitude list:

- Finding Shepherd Center in Atlanta and the medical care he received there. It put him on an excellent path to recovery following early setbacks after his accident. Who could have guessed he’d have an Atlanta family of caregivers and new friends this year?

- The home health nurse who helps him do his daily stretches, personal grooming and such. Who knew that having his hair brushed could feel so good?

- The power wheelchair that gets him around. It gets him down the ramp and toward the waiting van that takes him to his frequent physical and occupation therapy. Who knew that the kiss from his wife at the end of the ramp would be such a wonderful reward?

- The amazing therapists that work with him at Cleveland’s Louis Stokes VA Hospital. Their patience, perseverance and encouragement is second to none. Who knew that moving pegs around a board and getting them in the right holes would be an activity to look forward to?

- His wife Diane’s uber-organizational skill and dogged determination. She tediously collected information and navigated difficult insurance challenges so that John could have the best medical care possible. Who knew that the systems and processes she uses to run her business and their home would be put to such use?

- His extended family and friends who put on a Casino-style fundraiser to help the Trimbaths purchase a specially equipped van for John to get around. Could John have predicted that watching others roll the dice could be so much fun?

Visit ShepherdTV.tumblr.com to enjoy a preview video of John’s new life; in addition, be sure to share his Story of Hope at ShepherdTV.org with family and friends this Thanksgiving. It will help put any struggles you may have in perspective.

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