Every once in a while, you run into a golf story that can really change your perspective, a story that not only changes your perspective on the game of golf but on life in general. When Jordan Thomas slid into my DM’s I uncovered one off those stories.
Jordan had seen that I was in Tennessee and was just looking for a game of golf. I had some time open and we set up a time to play. Before I headed out for our tee time, Jordan sent me a link to a video with the words “Little Background.”
When Jordan first picked up a club, he fell in love immediately. Golf was his sport. Playing in 9 golf tournaments from the ages of 12-14, he was 9 for 9 with a victory at every tournament. He was on Tiger trajectory until he was 15. In the year of 2005, Jordan would nearly lose his life in a terrible boating accident. A boat propeller had struck his legs and his life was in jeopardy from massive blood loss.
“I knew I had to survive for the sake of other people.”
Fortunately, Jordan would survive the ordeal but he would end up losing both of his legs. While this all sounds awful, this is where the story gets good. A month and a half later, and with the help of prosthetics, Jordan was walking again. Think about that for a moment. Personally, I would have cried for a minimum of 2 months straight. Jordan was back up on his new feet and preparing to play golf. Shortly after, he was back on the golf course making birdies.
Immediately after the accident and at the young age of 16, Jordan took the step that he had envisioned when fighting for his life. Since Jordan was aware that he had survived to help others, he reacted to his situation by creating the Jordan Thomas Foundation. His foundation exists because of the minimal coverage on prosthetics that most insurance companies offer. With families shelling out large sums of cash on prosthetics for their children, it can be overwhelmingly difficult to make ends meet. Especially when kids outgrow their prosthetics every 18-24 months, someone needs to step in and help them. No family should be forced to choose between food, shelter, or legs. That is where Jordan comes in.
A quick scan of the foundation website reveals the stories of the families that Jordan has helped by providing assistance to families in need. He is making a real difference in people’s lives and it is inspiring.
“Every kid deserves the opportunity to be a kid. We fight every single day to ensure kids get to live active and happy lives. Together we can change the lives of kids and families that are so deserving. All they need is a chance!”
During a lunch conversation with Jordan at his golf club, I quickly realize why Jordan was able to turn such a traumatic event into an overwhelmingly positive result. His attitude is filled to the brim with positivity. Jordan immediately brings you right in. Despite his ability, he is one of the happiest people that I have met. His joy for golf is contagious and someone stops by our table for a high five with him just about every 3 minutes.
I ask several questions and Jordan recounts the narrative that I watched on the Golf Channel earlier in the day. There is no languish in his recollection of the events, it’s simply story time for Jordan. He has embraced the accident that life handed him 15 years ago. It’s an experience that has made him a better person. After we finish our meals, we hit the golf course and it’s time for Jordan to impress me yet again.
300+ all day. https://t.co/GUuuRYpJzk pic.twitter.com/3mQlLfZvlP
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) October 22, 2020
By impress, I mean beat me and my friend Jeff senseless on the golf course. Jordan drives it around 300 regularly and all other aspects of his game are equally impressive. Somewhere on the back nine Jeff and I go dormie and lose quickly thereafter. We weren’t really paying too much attention to the score because Jordan has figured out one of golf’s most challenging lessons…. to have fun. None of us played particularly well that day but the round of golf was one of my favorites in a long time.
Parting Fact: Jordan always remembers to wear socks with his legs. “You only have to change ‘em once every 6 months.” he says with a smile.
To learn more about Jordan’s amazing story visit his foundation’s website. While you are there, make a donation and give a kid the chance to be a kid. You can also follow along with Jordan’s golfing journeys on his Instagram.