97s Journey - Jackson Drum

06/22/2026

Our hearts are full of gratitude tonight.

We are so thankful to Aaron Jackson’s coach for bringing Jackson’s car back from Idaho for his graduation. The car had been there since the day of his accident, and having it back feels like another important step forward in his journey.

On Friday, Jackson completed his Arc Ex trial and showed significant improvement an incredible, 21 point gain! His arm strength has improved so much that tonight we felt comfortable letting him take us for a drive on some backroads.

This was Jackson’s first time driving since his accident, and we are thrilled to say it was a complete success. No adaptations were needed, and he handled it beautifully.

As we reflect on this moment, we can’t help but be overwhelmed by how far he has come. For someone who lay lifeless not breathing on the ice for 8 minutes, to now be driving again and achieving milestones we once only hoped and prayed for, is truly miraculous.

God has been so good to us throughout this journey. We are deeply grateful for every prayer, every word of encouragement, every act of kindness, and every person who has walked alongside us during these challenging months.

Tonight was more than just a drive, it was a reminder of hope, perseverance, faith, and the power of God’s grace.

Thank you all for being part of Jackson’s story. ❤️🙏🚗 https://linktr.ee/jacksondrum

06/18/2026

Tonight after therapy, I came home and worked on playing with the hockey pucks again. We just wrapped up my outpatient physical therapy until I return to Shepherd Center in July!

This July, I’ll be helping coach at the Chowder Cup in Boston and then spending a week at Rutgers University. Excited for the opportunities ahead and grateful for every step of the journey.

06/12/2026

I did this interview the other morning at the radio station 🙂 This week I’ve been busy at therapy Tuesday and today.

Alexandria’s Jackson Drum was told he might never walk again after a devastating hockey injury. Just over a year later, he walked at graduation.

06/08/2026

Jackson is working on walking every day, especially on a variety of surfaces. He is also focusing on sensory desensitization by using his hands in sensory bins and exposing his feet to different textures and surfaces. His body is essentially relearning these skills and sensations all over again.

Yesterday, we attended church, and the Bible verse was about how Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. It was a meaningful reminder that healing can take time and that perseverance and faith are important throughout the journey. https://linktr.ee/jacksondrum

06/04/2026

Jackson did this interview the same day as graduation.

The Alexandria hockey player they said would never breathe again on his own accepted his diploma on his own two feet.

06/03/2026

Before and After-so far. Tomorrow is another day of therapy.

More than a year after a devastating hockey injury changed his life, Jackson Drum walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma.

Drum, an Alexandria, Minnesota, teenager, was injured during a hockey game in Vancouver, Canada, in January 2025.

Since returning home to Alexandria, Drum has spent months in physical therapy at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Graduation became one of his biggest goals.

06/02/2026

Jackson is pretty tired after a busy weekend filled with graduation celebrations and graduation parties. Today, we traveled to Golden Valley for both occupational therapy and physical therapy. Jackson hasn’t used his wheelchair since last week, but after spending such a long time sitting in it, getting back into walking can be a lot of work. Here is a video cbs released of him at therapy last week and graduation!

Jackson Drum plans to attend a program at Rutgers University this summer to help students with spinal cord injuries learn how to live more independently before college.

05/30/2026

Jackson walked at graduation! He is excited for a summer of therapy at Courage Kenny, Rutgers College and Shepherd Center! When he went back to school this fall he really wanted to walk at graduation. At that point he could only move his legs a little and not walk at all.

05/29/2026

https://www.kxly.com/news/former-hockey-player-to-walk-at-graduation-after-breaking-neck/article_960b5749-3878-4280-8a7a-76908ebea808.html
Thank you for all the support ❤️

SPOKANE, Wash. — A former Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy player who broke his neck during a hockey game more than a year ago will achieve his biggest goal when he

05/29/2026

https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/hockey-player-paralyzed-in-burnaby-last-year-will-walk-across-the-stage-for-his-high-school-graduation/

Yesterday I did this interview! Today, is graduation.
Cover photo credit: Heather Scott Photography

Sixteen months ago, Jackson Drum was at Vancouver General Hospital on a ventilator after breaking his neck while participating as a visiting player in a Burnaby hockey tournament.