It's Happening: Justyn's Graduation Wish List
By Julie Perine on May 22, 2016
The night before her son’s high school graduation, Carolyn Jenkins felt all the typical emotions: Happiness, yet a little sadness because her baby boy was growing up; excitement and pride because he had reached a milestone for which he worked so hard.
But perhaps first and foremost was nervousness. She was worried that her 18-year-old son wouldn’t be able to stand by himself and take a couple steps to receive his diploma.
That’s what he wanted more than anything.
Just a little over two years ago, Justyn would have taken that very simple task for granted. But on Feb. 2, 2014, his life drastically changed when he was rushed to Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was so critical that his 
kidneys and lungs shut down, he went into cardiac arrest and had no brain function. For several minutes, Justyn – who for the past few days thought he simply had the flu – was clinically dead. As it turned out, Justyn was in DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids.
kidneys and lungs shut down, he went into cardiac arrest and had no brain function. For several minutes, Justyn – who for the past few days thought he simply had the flu – was clinically dead. As it turned out, Justyn was in DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids.
The doctors painted a very bleak picture. It was likely that he wouldn’t live. If he did, it was likely that he would have severe brain damage. Carolyn said she and her husband Leslie refused to take that for an answer and the cry from the depths of their hearts was answered when Dr. Bill Patten “thought outside the box,” utilizing the rare treatment of placing Justyn in a medically-induced coma and driving down his body temperature to the point that his metabolism plunged. It as a result of the hyperthermia, blood was restricted to his extremities and as a result, both legs and most of his fingers had to be amputated.
Immediately following the amputation, Justyn was a “shell of a person,” his mom said. To help him out of his depression, she said she “pulled the mom card” and asked all the medical professionals with whom the family had been dealing to send in every individual they ran across who either had Type I diabetes or were an amputee. In came doctors, nurses, bikers, soldiers, adults and children, skiers and snowboarders – all who convinced Justyn that he could overcome his physical obstacles. Before his parents’ eyes, Justyn’s attitude was lifted and he decided to be a fighter.
Justyn pushed through. He returned to school shortly after his release from the hospital. He got up out of bed and went, even on days he didn’t want to. If he got down, he looked within and to his friends and family to lift himself back up. He has even maintained an incredible sense of humor. He’s been known to tease video game opponents for letting a guy with no fingers beat them.
Over the past two years, he has worked with various therapists and prosthesis. He opted not to use a prosthesis for his hands. It was awkward and it pinched him. Because he had no fingers on his right hand, he decided to think outside the box and start using his left hand predominantly, even to write with. He even taught himself to type using the side of his hand. By typing 38 words per minute – with no mistakes, mind you – he passed his computer test with flying colors.
Like most mothers, Carolyn Jenkins feels the son she has raised is a gift from above. But she got her gift twice, she said.
“He’s here for a reason. He’s graduating with honors. He has cords and medals to wear. We practiced the walking for a couple of days and he feels pretty confident,” said Carolyn late Thursday evening.
In some ways, Justyn’s life will be different from that of his friends. They work. They drive. He cannot do either. Many will be going away to college. He will not. But he has enrolled with DeVry University to take online courses and will be studying computer engineering and gaming.
And if things work out with the newest addition to the Jenkins family, Justyn might just be finishing his college education on campus.
Thanks to Justyn’s generosity of those associated with RCB and friends and community members, he is getting a very special graduation gift. Soon to arrive at the household is Keeva, a black lab from Berkeley Springs. The service dog will likely become his best friend and companion. By using her sense of smell, she will be able to detect if Justyn’s blood sugar is too low or too high. As a plummet or spike can be very dangerous, that will be particularly key when Justyn is sleeping. For now, Carolyn checks those levels through the night. Keeva will also be able to bring him a snack, open doors and pick up objects which he might drop. When Justyn met Keeva to see if she was the likely fit for his service dog, they interacted beautifully – and she did some incredible things. Perhaps the most impressive was picking up a quarter off the linoleum floor, flipping it in her mouth and delivering it to his hand – slobber free. She knows codes to retrieve the house phone or Justyn’s cell phone and she will keep looking until she finds it. If the keypad is big enough, she can even dial 911.
When the family learned about the possibility of a service dog, they thought they would never be able to afford one. Most cost between $7,000 and $50,000 and with both of them recently losing their jobs in the oil and gas industry, it just didn’t seem possible. Though not as dependable as their previous professions, have picked up work. In fact, they are working many hours per week to make ends meet.
But then the family learned that the school wanted to raise money for the service dog. Carolyn said she was touched and appreciated their gesture, thinking they would raise perhaps several hundred dollars toward the cause. She said she was floored when she learned that they had raised nearly $6,000, which because of the generous people from whom they are getting Keeva, wound up being enough to take 
her home.
her home.
But Justyn and his parents still need help. They need money to purchase equipment for the dog and medical equipment which would help Justyn excel; equipment that insurance will not pay for. Here’s a peek at his wish list:
A harness system for Keeva;
Special stickers for the harness indicating that the dog’s owner is insulin dependent, etc.;
A box to be placed at the foot of Justyn’s bed for Keeva to sleep in. (Most service dogs sleep with their owners, but Justyn’s bedroom is small and he sleeps in a twin bed. There’s not enough room.)
And though they seem out of reach, robotic hands, which would allow Justyn to have so much more independence, even being able to cut up his own steak when he’s at the dinner table.
I don’t think Justyn’s wish list seems unreasonable. And I think if several thousand people read this blog and each donates just a few dollars, this boy’s quality of life, his self-confidence, his future would skyrocket. You’re a rock star community. You can make it happen.
You can donate by visiting his GoFundMe page HERE. Or you can make a deposit to Justyn’s savings account at United Bank at Walmart. Also, cards and checks can be mailed to Justyn Jenkins, 56 Cox Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301.
I became aware of this whole situation when my friend, Bridgeport High School marketing teacher/DECA sponsor and Connect—Bridgeport freelance writer Trina Runner put a bug in my ear. Earlier this month, Trina was awarded $500 when she won the TOSCAR for the best motivational speech at the 14th Annual AlignHR Hot Topics Conference in Charleston. In true Trina style, she said she felt led to give the money to Justyn to help him get his service dog. I was curious why she chose Justyn; that is until I read about him, watched the YouTube video below and thereafter contacted Carolyn to hear from her personally. She shared with me that she doesn’t sleep much, yet she was happy to give up potential sleeping time to talk with me late at night over the telephone.
Yes, she said she was nervous about Justyn taking those steps at his graduation. And wouldn’t you know it: He did it.
Join Team Justyn Jenkins HERE.
Editor's Note: Justyn is pictured with his mom Carolyn, with Dr. Patton, with RCB Principal Steve Gibson and when he was champion child at Children's Hospital.
Professional photos above are by Savannah Lowe Photography.
Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter.
More "It's Happening" HERE.
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