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On June 27, 2020, 16-year-old Jack Weeks was spending a family day out at Lewes Beach at the tip of Cedar Street. At 2:42 p.m. he ran into the water, dived and broke his neck on the shallow bottom. Everyday heroes jumped into action and lifted Jack out of the water, revived him and prepared him for transport to Beebe Healthcare and a flight to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington.
Within hours, it became apparent that he was paralyzed from chest to toe with limited use of his arms and hands. For a year and a half, he has worked very hard alongside a team of extraordinarily dedicated professionals to gain mobility.
To raise money for medical treatment and supports on his path to recovery, his family and friends will be holding a 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. rally on Sunday, November 7 at the Lewes Yacht Club.
Jack’s father, Kip Weeks, will share a five-minute video presentation about the incident and Jack’s mind power. The family are also keen to raise awareness of the dangers hidden along Lewes Beach. This is important, the family says, as the bay is deceptively dangerous due to its generally calm surface. Families with children may be lulled into a false sense of security because they focus on the reduced likelihood of drowning without realizing how easy it is to get injured while diving from rugs or the beach in. shallow water.
These dangers are likely to increase due to work on breakwaters, increasingly intense shoreline erosion and storms due to climate change, as well as more unpredictable water depth associated with tides. .
For these and more reasons, the warning signs along Lewes Beach are a critical first step. The family is also encouraging a longer-term educational effort to ensure more people understand that diving in the water when you can’t see the bottom is as dangerous as diving in a shallow pool. Local students should learn this in public and private schools in Cape Henlopen. Visitors who check in to summer rentals should be warned so that they can safely enjoy the beach. And public officials must recognize their responsibility to warn the public now and in the years to come.
In the meantime, Jack’s family look forward to celebrating his bravery and sharing the story of his struggles, successes, and the challenges ahead for his future. The tax-deductible tickets cost $ 125 each and the proceeds will go to a non-profit organization that handles payments for all medical and equipment needs not covered by health insurance.
The evening will include a selection of complimentary beers and wines from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Sposato Family Vineyards, accompanied by appetizers. A cash bar will be available for mixed cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. There will also be plenty of raffle and auction prizes, including gift certificates to Bling, Aquamarine and other local businesses, as well as a chance to bid for a ‘glamping’ weekend at Tops’l. Farm in Maine and a day on the set of the hit Netflix show, The Outer Banks.
To purchase tickets, go to https://events.helphopelive.org/event/5463/signup. Tickets can also be purchased by check at the door.
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