Chattanooga native Jordan Thomas is the heart behind The Jordan Thomas Foundation. Named a Top Ten CNN Hero of the Year in 2009 and Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill in 2020, the Nashville resident is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the foundation. With his whole family building roots in Music City, Jordan decided to make the move to Nashville eight years ago. At only sixteen years old, he created The Jordan Thomas Foundation — a non-profit providing prosthetic limbs to children who otherwise couldn’t afford them — after a life-changing boating accident where he lost both of his legs below the knee. Not only did his accident remind him how precious life truly is, but it gave him a whole new perspective and gratitude for being alive. He knew it would take time, but was confident in his access to prosthetics to help lead him to things he enjoyed before the accident. Twenty years since its inception, he continues to use his voice to stand up for children who are in need and has served over 200 families in Middle Tennessee. Jordan had never been a stranger to philanthropics; Growing up, his parents always instilled the ideals of giving back to others. After his accident, Jordan was aware that he was in a position where he would never have to worry about gaining access to prosthetics and saw firsthand the financial burden families face through the process. Therefore, it was a no-brainer that he would step in and add action to the process, resulting in The Jordan Thomas Foundation.
“It simply started with one kid,” Jordan shares, on the start of his foundation. “I learned he was sedentary and in a wheelchair because of financial limitations his family had. I knew we had to do something about it… then it just expanded beyond that. It’s grown into so much more than I’ve ever imagined.”
Fighting for change — even on the state level — Jordan has advocated for insurance companies to be required to cover prosthetic devices for those in need. Due to the low number of manufacturers that exist in the world, prosthetics are both expensive and scarce. It has been Jordan's goal to manufacture his own prosthetics one day, and he is confident this huge next step will be coming to fruition soon!
“Many people are unaware of this issue because it only happens to such a small portion of the population… but the amazing thing is once they learn about it, [they feel it’s only] common sense,” Jordan explains.
The Jordan Thomas Foundation actively facilitates community support and relatability in their process. Finding it best to introduce families to the community as early as possible in their journey, the team behind the foundation links families to a pre-existing family that has had a similar experience with limb loss so they can feel seen, feel heard, and have the opportunity to learn from one another. Excited to continue to put an emphasis on the community elements and mental health aspects of the foundation, Jordan is adamantly working to provide resources and support for families — and even earning his Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health. Continuing his strong advocacy for children who suffer from limb loss all over the world, he is determined to help make a change.
“It’s a huge part of my healing journey,” Jordan shares, speaking on the lasting impact his foundation makes on so many people’s lives. “I spent a lot of time trying to make sense of such a tragic event — at such an important time of my life — so when I’m able to see the impact and see the two-hundred kids that we’ve served, it gives me complete confirmation as to why I exist on this planet.”
Apart from the foundation, Jordan has always had a passion for golf. Learning how to play at only six years old, he had to adjust his game after the accident, but he never let that stop him! With several awards and medals to his name, Jordan was just the first double-amputee to qualify for the Tennessee State Amateur and also competed for the third time in this year’s U.S. Adaptive Open. He thoroughly enjoys getting out on the course and sharing his story while educating others about The Jordan Thomas Foundation and their work behind it.
The Jordan Thomas Foundation has helped fund over ten million dollars for families and children in need, and this is only the beginning! For more information or to donate, please visit the website or follow Jordan and the foundation on social media.
www.jordanthomasfoundation.org
@jordanthomasfoundation
@pressonjt
"It’s grown into so much more than I’ve ever imagined.”
"it gives me complete confirmation as to why I exist on this planet.”