J Field Foundation

About the Foundation

My car accident at 17 years old, changed my life and my mother’s life in countless ways. She became my champion every step of the way, from the very first moment in the emergency room, until today.

When doctors told her, “Jennifer will not get any better,” my mother refused to give up. She found individuals working outside the traditional halls of medicine; men and women who were trying new things, and who were aligned with our commitment to never give up. Without hope and a positive attitude, my recovery would have stopped when the doctors said I would not get any better.

In fact, I learned recovery can be an exciting journey of reinvention and discovery.

With my therapists, committed family and friends, I worked to retrain my brain and my body, and to feed both with healing foods.Good nutrition matters when you are healthy, it is even more critical for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

At the time of my injury, traditional doctors told us that any recovery would happen in the first twelve months. My caregivers and I know that TBI recovery is a lifelong process, not something that ends in a year, or two, or even ten.

My accident took many things away from me, but over time, my mother and I realized that what was the worst thing that ever happened to me, turned out to be the best thing as well. I had to go through this, so that we could search far and wide for solutions, and then share what we learned with others. That is why we wrote our book, “From Blue Ribbon to Code Blue,” and why we seek to help others through our Foundation.

We launched the J Field Foundation in 2006 to help families whose lives were also turned upside down by a TBI event. Our mission is to provide hope, inspiration, and guidance, the very things that sustain my ongoing recovery.

Over the years we have provided special eyeglasses to children whose vision was impaired by their traumatic brain injury. We have also funded equine therapy sessions for Veterans, as well as children. And that continues to be our focus.

Although I no longer ride, I know the healing power of horses. The special bond one can have with a horse is its own medicine. I have been fortunate enough to visit several organizations that provide therapeutic riding programs, and witnessed first hand the importance, and positive impact of their work.

Riding can improve core body strength, while also improving balance and flexibility, sharpening spatial and cognitive awareness. Other potential benefits include increased gross and fine motor skills, improved breathing and circulation, and challenging one’s memory and sequencing abilities.

In 2023 we forged an exciting new relationship with Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship in Bedford Corners, New York. We awarded several scholarships to children and Veterans so that they could benefit from Endeavor's programs, without worrying about costs.

We are so thrilled to follow the progress of the J.Field Foundation scholarship recipients, as they travel down the road to their recovery. We are able to see how the equine therapy benefits the transition to their new life.

You can help by donating via Paypal here.