Now Reading
NONPROFIT CHANGES LIFE FOR YOUNG MAN WITH AVM

NONPROFIT CHANGES LIFE FOR YOUNG MAN WITH AVM

Freedom to Walk Foundation Presents Mobility Devices at Sold-Out Fundraiser

The Freedom to Walk Foundation helped change the life of 22-year-old Jordy Navarro by presenting him with two life-enhancing mobility devices during a sold-out Music Bingo Fundraiser.

Jordy, a survivor of a life-threatening condition called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), was just 16 years old when he screamed from his bedroom, “Mommy, help me.” He was paralyzed. Upon arrival at the hospital, Jordy flatlined. After multiple attempts with a defibrillator failed, doctors were prepared to pronounce him dead until a nurse passing by noticed slight activity on the monitor. One final shock brought back his heartbeat, and Jordy was rushed into brain surgery that lasted 13 hours. Diagnosed with AVM, a rare and dangerous tangle of blood vessels in the brain, and fell into a coma for five months. Doctors told his mother there was nothing more they could do, and arrangements were made for organ donation. During the Honor Walk, a doctor noticed slight activity on the monitor, and Jordy was sent back to his hospital room. Seventy-two hours later, he opened his eyes and whispered, “Ma, Ma.”  Jordy underwent five brain surgeries within a year.

Since then, Jordy has faced a long road of rehabilitation. With the support of his devoted mother, he learned to eat, speak, sit, and walk again. He is now taking college classes and majoring in Psychology, hoping to one day help others with physical challenges. At the Music Bingo Fundraiser, Freedom to Walk Foundation Vice President Suzy Watts moved the audience with Jordy’s powerful story. Then, to his and his mother’s surprise, Founder Daisy Vega presented Jordy with two advanced functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices, the Bioness L300 Go and Thigh Cuff, designed to help individuals with Foot Drop walk more safely and confidently. Jordy and his mother were speechless. “Both of them for me, Jordy said?” as he asked in amazement. The Bioness devices provide critical mobility support but are rarely covered by insurance. With each device costing $5,500, access is out of reach for many. The Freedom to Walk Foundation exists to help bridge that gap for individuals with walking impairments due to conditions such as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cerebral Palsy.

Following the presentation, Jordy addressed the crowd with heartfelt emotion: “Throughout my life, I asked, ‘Why me?’ Now, I say, ‘Because of me.’ Because of me, I get to write my story. Because of me, I feel the love of God expressing gratitude and humility through my actions. Because of me, I look forward to the future, knowing that God has a plan for me. Thank you to the Freedom to Walk Foundation and everyone for helping people like me to walk again.”

The night’s most unforgettable moment came when Jordy walked into the room wearing his new devices. The crowd rose to their feet in a tearful standing ovation.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Jordy said. “Thank You to the Freedom to Walk Foundation and Everyone.”  Jordy said to Daisy Vega, “You Are My Angel.”  His mother told Jordy that God sends Angels to help him.  Daisy Vega told Jordy, “You had a room full of Angels.  Everyone took part in raising funds for him to be able to walk with his two devices.”  He said, “WOW, I never had so many Angels at one time.”

Join the Freedom to Walk Foundation to help others like Jordy, as a participant or sponsor at the Comedy Show, Dinner, and Dancing Fundraiser on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Riverview, from 6:00PM to 11:00PM.  To learn more about the Freedom to Walk Foundation, tickets, and sponsorships, visit  http://www.FreedomToWalkFoundation.org or contact Daisy Vega at (813) 546-2329 or Daisy.Vega@FreedomToWalkFoundation.org.  Together, We Are Changing Lives, One Foot At A Time!

Scroll To Top