Jeff’s Story

Site created on August 14, 2022

As many of you visiting this page are aware, on Thursday, August 11, Jeff had to be pulled from the water while swimming during a vacation in Mexico. The resort lifeguard performed CPR and revived Jeff. He was then transported to the nearest hospital.  

He received as much care as they could give him at that hospital, and it was determined that he would need to be transferred to a hospital in Cancun to receive additional necessary treatment.

In Cancun, it was determined that he had broken his C6 and C7 vertebrae and also verified that he had salt water in his lungs.

His lungs cleared significantly by Friday.

On Saturday, August 13th, Jeff had a long surgery to use a pelvic bone graft along with screws, bars, and plates to stabilize his neck.  

He has been opening his eyes and is responding to simple commands.

At this point, arrangements are being made to fly him back to the US, ideally to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

His immediate and extended family are forever grateful to the hundreds of people who are sharing their prayers and love and strength and resources. We know we can continue to rely on the support of the vast community of people who know and love Jeff and his family.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jeff Sinkinson

Today is one year since my accident in Mexico. It’s incredibly hard to believe that that much time has passed. In someways, it seems like the longest year ever, and in other ways, it feels like just yesterday we were in the hospital and learning such devastating news. I am so grateful for all of your support over this past year. I don’t honestly believe we could’ve done it without each and everyone of your kind words, thoughts, and actions. Below is an update video and I can’t tell you what a great place we are in now as a family. Today Rory flew home from Oregon, tonight we will go to the beach, and the four of us will be together on a day that a year ago there was nothing that would’ve been better. We head to Maine next week as a family and will spend our time together relaxing, which is so very different than the week we spent in August last year. Thank you to each and everyone of you for all that you have brought to our lives!



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