jaclynstrong

A Fund of

The jaclynstrong Foundation was created by Jaclyn Pellicotte and her parents Sheri and Dennis, and her brother Jacob with the goal of providing support and hope to individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In 2018, Jaclyn was involved in a horrific car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Due to the severity of her injuries, Jaclyn and her family were told she would be in a vegetative state for the remainder of her life and it was recommended she be placed in a long-term care facility. Although the prognosis was grim, Sheri and Jaclyn’s family refused to give up hope and continued to pray for their daughter’s recovery. After 7 long months in the hospital, 2 of which were in ICU, the Pellicotte family’s prayers were answered and Jaclyn was transferred from University Medical Center to The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston, Texas.

At the time of her admission to TIRR, Jaclyn was unable to move, speak, or communicate and it was unknown if she was in a conscious state of being. Still, Sheri and her family held onto their faith and hope, and on their first day at TIRR Sheri noticed the “Wall of Hope” where photos hung of previous patients who had successfully completed the program. After meeting with Jaclyn’s treatment team her doctor asked Sheri if she had any questions and she replied, “No, but I know my daughter’s photo will be hanging on this wall one day.” Jaclyn was then admitted to the Disorders of Consciousness Program where, after 4 months of intensive programming, it was determined that she was conscious.

After completing the program and intensive therapy through TIRR, Jaclyn was discharged and returned to El Paso, where she began post-acute rehabilitation at Neurorestorative. She was still wheelchair-bound and unable to move any part of her body or speak, but Jaclyn did not give up– she kept fighting. For 10 months, Jaclyn could only communicate by signing a thumbs up or thumbs down, but one day she began to speak again in whispers. Jaclyn's first words were to her mom: "I love you, too”.

After months of intensive therapy and prayers Jaclyn’s photo was hung on the “Wall of Hope” at TIRR March of 2022, just as her mom declared that first day of admission. She is the first person from the Disorders of Consciousness Program to have her photo hung and Jaclyn has since become a mentor for TIRR, where she visits and inspires patients and families who are on the same journey of recovery. Through the jaclynstrong Foundation, the Pellicottes plan to give back to other families and show that through faith and determination recovery is possible.

In addition to serving as a mentor for TIRR, Jaclyn has also begun classes at UTEP to become a pediatric neurologist, motivated by all the healthcare heroes who played a role in her miraculous recovery. It is the Pellicottes’ dream that all families will feel the love and support that is needed during their traumatic brain injury recoveries.

“We are beyond blessed to be realizing this dream of launching the jaclynstrong Foundation and we are so grateful to the Fox Family for connecting us to the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. We know in our hearts that God brought us all together to help those who may be feeling like they have nobody else." - The Pellicottes