‘Fighting through’
Local man who suffered brain injury in China receives award for hanging tough.
Neosho, Mo. — A Goodman resident who suffered a fall from three stories in China has received an award from the Brain Injury Association of Missouri
Freddie Jennings, 29, was presented with the courage award from the association on Oct. 22 in St. Louis. The plaque, shaped in the state of Missouri, reads, “Freddie Jennings presented in recognition of your accomplishments in life after brain injury.
“I was trying to fix a clothes drying rack (in China), and as I was standing on my Futon to try to reach it, it slipped; I fell forward out of the window and fell through an awning and hit a sign. I fell three stories,” Jennings said of the incident, which occurred April 15. “I was there two months after the accident.
Jennings was in China teaching through Missouri State University at the college’s international business school
“I was a public speaking professor/instructor and taught there for three semesters,” he said
Jennings was nominated for the award by his therapist. After the nomination, his therapist notified him that he was one of three people for the award
“I think that it is an honor for me (to receive the award) because it shows that I am taking a positive approach to [my injury],” Jennings said. “They are saying how a lot of people with brain injuries let it beat them. I am still fighting it. I am keeping a positive attitude for other people to see that. And maybe I can influence other people. (The award) is for showing a positive attitude during difficult situation and fighting through.
Jennings mom, Kathy, is also pleased with her son receiving the award
“I feel very fortunate that he is here and everything,” she said. “I am really happy that he got it. I think he wells deserves it (the award). He is a walking miracle I think.”
Jennings has not gone back to work, but is taking voice lessons at Crowder College and also guitar lessons, which he said is helping a lot.
“I am interested in music, so I am doing those things,” he said. “It is nice because I have time now.”
With the guitar lessons and keeping busy, Jennings said it is helping him recuperate and helping his brain activity.
“I do think that you have to keep using it or else you can’t stay the same,” Jennings said. “So you go forward or fall back, but you have to keep using it. You keep pushing forward or you are going to lose what you once had. I am playing board games with my family, different activities. Just things that keep me going, keep me thinking, I am not sitting around.”
Jennings is thinking about goals in the future.
“I have been teaching quite a while, so I like teaching, but the main thing that I like is the feeling of helping people,” he said. “I like helping people, whether it be through teaching or maybe through politics or music. I want to be able to reach people and help them… But right now, my full time job is recovery.”
‘Fighting through’
DAILY NEWS/TODD G. HIGDON: Freddie Jennings holds his award from the Brain Injury Association of Missouri. He fell three stories in China while teaching there.
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