‘Character is Forged in the Fire:’ Michigan’s Drew Clayborn Reflects on 15-Year Journey Since Becoming Paralyzed, Sets Sights on Walking Again
Jake Newby
| 5 min read
It’s been 15 years since Drew Clayborn was paralyzed after trying to land a backflip in his high school hallway. The Commerce native hasn’t spent any of those 15 years feelings sorry for himself, though. He’s harnessed positive energy in the face of adversity and dedicated it toward advocating against paralysis and one day getting out of his wheelchair to walk again.
“You might not be able to tell by looking at me, but I’m a lot stronger than you might imagine after 15 years of paralysis,” said Clayborn, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) member. “My body’s still healthy; my mind is strong enough. The biggest thing for me right now is to go after that.”
Clayborn fractured his C1-C2 vertebrae on March 26, 2010. If it wasn’t for the immediate action taken by one of Clayborn’s teachers and the school liaison – who performed CPR until paramedics arrived – the 30-year-old recognizes now that day in 2010 could have been his last.
“Who knows if I would have survived,” Clayborn said. “Who knows if my injury would have been worse. Because the fact that I’m as strong as I am, the fact that I’m able to talk and breathe and move my shoulders and head, is kind of rare for people with this level of injury.”
One of Clayborn’s initial reactions when he regained consciousness provided a snapshot of his laid-back demeanor over the next 15 years.
“I remember waking up in the ICU knowing I had an essay due, and I thought, ‘oh, I guess I have a little more time now,’” Clayborn recalled.
Clayborn is proud of the fact that he’s never suffered from muscle atrophy, bone density loss, pressure sores or any other secondary ailment commonly associated with paralysis. His attitude has propelled him to incredible successes like going back and graduating high school when the accident was still fresh, studying mathematical biology at the University of Michigan (UM), launching and directing his own nonprofit organization and tackling physical therapy sessions with intense focus and determination. He said he couldn’t thrive in the face of adversity the way he does without the support of so many.
Lifted by a strong support system
Between his immediate family, his team of UM nurses and even the outpouring of support from his neighbors, school acquaintances and others, Clayborn literally had a village of people in his community that mobilized to help him.
“I always say I have guardian angels looking over me because some of the most critical people at that time have since passed away,” said Clayborn, while talking about the construction worker in his hometown who led the charge to renovate the Clayborn family home and make it wheelchair accessible, free of charge.
“We had volunteers, people from school, on the hockey team, come around to help during that process,” he said. “So many people stepped up.”
Leading a life of advocacy
Members of that support system helped Clayborn launch a nonprofit in his name after the accident. The Drew Crew hosts golf outings, raffles and other events to raise money for Clayborn himself and individuals like him, who have incurred a lifelong financial burden in addition to their physical and mental trauma. The organization is hosting its 13th annual golf outing fundraiser this June in Clarkston.
He has also engaged in public speaking opportunities over the years, a path he was empowered to take after interacting with so many students he shared similarities with while attending college at UM.
“I was lucky to be in a dorm with a lot of kids with disabilities that opened up so much opportunity for networking,” he said. “That communal effort showed me what was possible for people with different disabilities to be able to share information.”
How BCBSM impacted Clayborn’s journey
Clayborn’s insurance plan with BCBSM allows for 32 physical therapy visits per calendar year.
“The biggest thing for me is walking again, and getting out of this wheelchair,” he said. “I’m doing some groundbreaking things, getting out of my chair and walking on an automated walking machine at the Recovery Project in Livonia. And the only way I was able to do that is because I get physical therapy paid for by Blue Cross.”
Clayborn added he’s receiving Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), which is also covered under his BCBSM plan. FES involves using small electrical pulses that stimulate paralyzed or weakened muscles.
“Stay strong:” Clayborn pulls from his own journey to hopefully uplift others
Clayborn often repeats the phrases “stay strong” and “stay positive” to himself.
“Character is forged in the fire,” Clayborn said. “Our character is really forged in adversity and how we respond to things thrown at us that are unexpected. Things that seem overwhelming or things that can’t be conquered. I can tell you right now, no matter what you’re going through, it’s conquerable.”
Clayborn hopes to go to graduate school soon and study bioinformatics. If his ultimate goal is walking again, his secondary goal is to become a medical professional that one day conducts research on paralysis and other disabilities.
Visit the Drew Crew website at this link to learn more about the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts. Clayborn is also involved with Easterseals MORC – a BCBSM partner – as well as the organization’s “See the Good” campaign during Developmental Disabilities Month. Click here to learn more and get involved.
Read on:
- What is a Functional Freeze?
- Five Surprising Ways Stress Affects the Body
- Measles Case Confirmed in Michigan: What to Know
Photo credit: Drew Clayborn
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Medically Reviewed by: Gretchen Goltz, D.O.