Drew's Journey
"What could have been the end of my story became the beginning of a journey filled with resilience, community, and hope. Through every challenge, I’ve found strength in my faith, my family, and the incredible people who have supported me along the way. This is the story of how I’ve turned obstacles into opportunities—and why my journey has inspired so many."
- Drew Clayborn
The Accident
On March 26, 2010, 15-year-old Drew Clayborn, a sophomore at Walled Lake Central High School, suffered a catastrophic C1-C2 complete spinal cord injury while attempting a backflip in the school hallway. Drew, an active student involved in football, basketball, marching band, and other activities, had been practicing the backflip for the school musical. Tragically, the attempt resulted in a life-altering injury. Immediate assistance came from Deputy Liaison Eric Overall and math teacher and football coach Nebojsa Stojkovic, who were nearby. Their quick actions, including administering CPR until EMTs arrived, were critical in stabilizing Drew. Their efforts likely made the difference between life and death, preventing potential brain damage or cognitive failure from such a severe injury near the brain stem. Once EMTs arrived, Drew was taken to Huron Valley Hospital, where he awaited a helicopter for emergency transport. His father, LeDon, made the critical decision to send him to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor over DMC in Detroit. Drew spent the following three months adjusting to his new reality. During his recovery, he underwent numerous medical procedures for his high-level spinal cord injury and reliance on a ventilator. He also began learning about adaptive technologies that would allow him to continue his education and even return to marching band, proving his resilience and determination.
Home Renovations
While Drew and his family were navigating their new reality, the community rallied around them, stepping up to ensure he could return home. Significant renovations were required to meet the basic accessibility needs of their home—but the efforts went far beyond that. Mark Onslow, a member of Orchard Grove Community Church, where the family attended, volunteered to take on the design and construction. Many others in the community contributed their time, resources, and materials to make it happen. Drew’s father, LeDon, used this time to visit homes of others with disabilities to better understand Drew’s needs. He compiled his findings and shared them with Mark. As a high-level quadriplegic reliant on a ventilator, Drew required specialized accommodations. Emergency access to his room was critical, and the home needed features such as a ramp with a pitch no steeper than 1 inch per foot, a built-in overhead lift and tracking system (donated by a church member), and bathroom amenities like space heaters and heat lamps to help regulate his body temperature. These adjustments necessitated tearing down two rooms and a bathroom, building an entirely new deck along the side of the house, and ensuring a direct entrance to Drew’s room. Meanwhile, the hospital was eager to discharge Drew, even suggesting he stay in the living room while construction continued—a situation that could have jeopardized his health due to the ventilator. Mark firmly refused, vowing to complete the renovations in time. This was no small feat. LeDon recalls a particularly emotional moment during this time. After a long day at the hospital, he returned home at 2 a.m. to find spotlights illuminating the construction site. Mark, members of the Walled Lake Central Hockey Team, and other volunteers were hard at work. Overwhelmed by their dedication, LeDon broke down in tears. Incredibly, the renovations were completed in just 31 days. Drew was able to come home and rest in his newly constructed room. This was just one of many examples of the love, commitment, and determination that is the foundation of The Drew Crew.
Drew Comes
Home
After spending 3 months and 11 days in the hospital, Drew finally returned home to the unwavering support of a loving family and a driven community ready to embrace him.
Drew's Recovery
After Drew’s accident, it quickly became clear how challenging it is to maintain health after paralysis. From turning every two hours to prevent pressure sores to managing mucus and secretions to avoid pneumonia, the demands were relentless. Bowel and bladder care became crucial to preventing infections, compactions, and autonomic dysreflexia—a dangerous spike in blood pressure. While these measures were critical for survival, there was little emphasis on preventing muscle atrophy or maintaining the strength needed to fight these complications. About a year after Drew’s injury, fate seemed to intervene. His father, LeDon, was invited to a seminar featuring Philip Muccio from Axiobionics. The company’s wearable therapy garments, embedded with electrical stimulation pads tailored to the individual, caught LeDon’s attention immediately. He thought, “This is exactly what my son needs.” Drew was soon fitted with a complete set of garments for his calves, thighs, abs, arms, and back. They developed a nighttime routine where Drew’s muscles received the necessary contractions while he slept. To this day, he continues this regimen and stands as a testament to its effectiveness—remaining one of the strongest and healthiest quadriplegics in the world.
Marching Band
Drew remained part of the Walled Lake Central Marching Band thanks to instructor Nick Pourcho, who designed a custom instrument and part for him. With support from parents and students, they created a mechanism to attach the instrument to Drew’s chair and helped him get on and off the field—proof that it truly takes a village!
Drew Attends the
University of Michigan
Drew’s determination and focus have always driven him to achieve his goals. As he prepared for his senior year of high school, he met with counselors and administrators to discuss his future. Adjusting to life with paralysis had impacted his junior year academically, and they suggested community college as a practical next step. But for Drew, the idea didn’t align with his lifelong dream of attending the University of Michigan. Resolute, he declared, “No. I want to take a full schedule and get back to my AP classes.” His counselor couldn’t have been more supportive. That year, Drew stepped into a leadership role in the marching band, attending every practice and competition—even in challenging conditions. He traveled to band camp up north and to Indianapolis for nationals in November, all while taking a full schedule of classes, including AP Calculus, and earning straight As. Determined to turn his dream into reality, Drew applied to the University of Michigan and was thrilled to receive his acceptance letter the following March.
Living on Campus
Along with his acceptance, Drew received a scholarship that made living on campus possible—something his family had never expected. By the second semester of his freshman year, he began staying on campus part-time with the help of his brother and a night nurse. Over the years, his family gradually built a full nursing team, enabling Drew to live on campus full-time and fully embrace his college experience.
Van Campaign
Drew and his family made a strong push three years in a row to be selected as the winner of an accessible van competition. After receiving thousands of votes, they created a GoFundMe to raise the money themselves. With the driving momentum behind the competition, the love and support of their community, and all the selfless donations, they could put over $30,000 down on a brand-new van.
Drew Takes Over the Nonprofit
Following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Drew took over The Drew Crew with an ongoing mission to make it bigger than himself. To give everyone with paralysis the opportunities he’s been afforded. He’s doing so by finding creative ways to raise awareness, giving free mentorship and guidance to anyone who will listen, and helping those in need through the annual events and raffles. Drew has three pillars for fighting paralysis: hope, health, and happiness. An acronym that was coined early on after Drew’s accident was P.U.S.H. It stands for Pray Until Something Happens and is meant to be a double entendre. When adversity strikes, Drew, his family, and The Drew Crew are built to push forward literally while figuratively PUSHing forward. This gives a sense of hope, faith, and perseverance. The second mantra Drew lives by is Quality AND Quantity. With only so many hours in a day, many people with disabilities are forced to decide whether they want to focus on the quality of life and enjoy their precious time here or the quantity of life and do everything they can to keep their bodies healthy. The Drew Crew embodies both of these sentiments. Thirdly, he stresses the importance of Independence, NOT Independent. The loss of independent actions doesn’t have to result in a loss of independence. Paralysis forces you to think outside the box about how to get something done, but it doesn’t stop you from doing anything you set your mind to.
Largest Bottle Drive Ever!
In March 2020, everything came to a standstill. As an organization, we faced uncertainty about our next steps. Hosting events like our annual golf outing was no longer an option. In an effort to stay afloat, we launched a bottle drive—and the response was beyond anything we could have imagined. Fortunately, Orchard Grove Community Church generously provided us with an unused warehouse for the collection process, complete with a loading dock for semi-trucks. Over the span of just two months, we collected more than a million cans and bottles. Thanks to an incredible community of volunteers, we sorted and returned enough to fill seven semi-trucks, raising over $90,000. It became one of the most successful bottle drives in Michigan history—if not the greatest.
"I Will Walk Again"
“Since the day I woke up out of the medically induced choma and they told me what had happened, I have believed I will walk again. As I grow and mature from that 15 year old boy, no matter what life altering events happen around, or opportunities have presented to me, the one single thought that remains confident in my brain is my belief that I will walk again. I can’t explain it any further than when I close my eyes and pray about who I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to focus on, the answer is always the same. It is my purpose.” For the first seven years following Drew’s accident, Axiobionics wearable therapy was his sole form of "physical therapy" as he focused on completing high school and college. After graduating, Drew began exploring alternative therapies to complement his routine. That’s when he discovered the Quadriciser and PEMF Therapy. In addition, he started outpatient physical therapy at The Recovery Project, where he works on standing and walking with the assistance of therapists and advanced technology. These new therapies have ignited an exciting journey of progress, leading to increased sensation and movement.
Purpose, Perseverance, Faith, and Hope:
My Story Isn’t Over
"My story is far from over. What began as a devastating accident has transformed into a journey filled with resilience, hope, and purpose. From the unwavering love of my family to the selfless support of my community, every chapter has been a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. Together, we’ve overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, paving the way for new opportunities to thrive, grow, and give back. But this is not the final chapter—this is just the beginning. My belief that I will walk again remains steadfast, and I am excited to embrace whatever challenges and triumphs the future holds. With every step forward, I continue to P.U.S.H., guided by faith, driven by purpose, and inspired by the promise of what’s yet to come. The next chapter is waiting to be written, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me."
- Drew Clayborn
Drew Clayborn
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My Hero: Part 3/3 | Healthiest Quadriplegic On The Planet #quadriplegic #caregiver #dad #sci
