'Pretty amazing': Community rallies for paralyzed gymnast
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PUYALLUP, Wash. - A young gymnast in need got some special help as she returned home for the first time Sunday - several weeks after she was paralyzed from the chest down.
Her homecoming was made even more special by her community, which donated hundreds of hours of time and work over the past three weeks to remodel her home to accommodate her disability.
"We kind of rallied around this family, and I'm so happy and so amazed to be a part of this effort," said one enthusiastic volunteer. "Really I think it's because of who they are that the community has come together."
The volunteers worked day and night - all for Jacoby Miles.
"We call it 'Team Jacoby' - it's pretty amazing," says a volunteer.
The 15-year-old gymnast was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down after she landed on her neck on a routine dismount off the parallel bars back in November.
The Miles family home underwent an extreme makeover to help Jacoby and her family adjust to her new physical requirements - thanks to generous donations and a lot of community support.
"They'd be the first people to stop and help somebody no matter who you are. And so I think that's a part of all of us wanting to pull together for the family 'cause we just love them so much," says one volunteer.
The renovations include an accessible bedroom and bath for Jacoby - as well as a walk-in closet.
Her bedroom will also have a lift to get her in and out of bed. And the kitchen is stocked with new appliances that can accommodate Jacoby's wheelchair.
There's even a prep sink - because Jacoby loves to bake. A new master bedroom and bath was created for her parents, Gretchen and Jason Miles, who were overcome by emotion at Sunday's big reveal.
Jacoby is the oldest of six children, and doctors say it will be a miracle if she walks again.
"It's a hard road - its a lot of work - and we're seeing that more and more," says Jason.
But this is a family and a community that believes in miracles.
"Honestly, pretty overwhelming, but a pretty amazing site - such a blessing," Jason says.
The addition is 1,300 square feet and worth about $75,000. The garage was also modified to house her new wheelchair-accessible van, which was donated to the Miles family earlier this month.
Her homecoming was made even more special by her community, which donated hundreds of hours of time and work over the past three weeks to remodel her home to accommodate her disability.
"We kind of rallied around this family, and I'm so happy and so amazed to be a part of this effort," said one enthusiastic volunteer. "Really I think it's because of who they are that the community has come together."
The volunteers worked day and night - all for Jacoby Miles.
"We call it 'Team Jacoby' - it's pretty amazing," says a volunteer.
The 15-year-old gymnast was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down after she landed on her neck on a routine dismount off the parallel bars back in November.
The Miles family home underwent an extreme makeover to help Jacoby and her family adjust to her new physical requirements - thanks to generous donations and a lot of community support.
"They'd be the first people to stop and help somebody no matter who you are. And so I think that's a part of all of us wanting to pull together for the family 'cause we just love them so much," says one volunteer.
The renovations include an accessible bedroom and bath for Jacoby - as well as a walk-in closet.
Her bedroom will also have a lift to get her in and out of bed. And the kitchen is stocked with new appliances that can accommodate Jacoby's wheelchair.
There's even a prep sink - because Jacoby loves to bake. A new master bedroom and bath was created for her parents, Gretchen and Jason Miles, who were overcome by emotion at Sunday's big reveal.
Jacoby is the oldest of six children, and doctors say it will be a miracle if she walks again.
"It's a hard road - its a lot of work - and we're seeing that more and more," says Jason.
But this is a family and a community that believes in miracles.
"Honestly, pretty overwhelming, but a pretty amazing site - such a blessing," Jason says.
The addition is 1,300 square feet and worth about $75,000. The garage was also modified to house her new wheelchair-accessible van, which was donated to the Miles family earlier this month.
WE ALL PRAY FOR GOD ON HER.
Good Luck - you can do it! May you have a Merry Christmas and a better New Year. Welcome home.
I hope that a miracle will happen for Jacoby.Â
All Please visit http://www.goteamjacoby.com for further details and how you can all continue to help! She has a long road ahead of her. Let this be the begining of the story not the end!
I just wanted to let the Miles Family and Jacoby know that I know a man who was paralyzed from an accident they told him he would never walk again. I don't know if the injuries are similiar, however, he worked really hard and after a year was able to walk. The determination and hard effort you put into gymnastics will now serve you well in your recovery. I am praying for the best outcome for you because that is what you can handle.
What a wonderful example " Team Jacoby" has set for all of us. Bless them and the Miles family!
I think that is pretty cool. I am glad a community pitched in. Not very many people or a community have the time to do that. Hope she does great in her new home.
Wow! What an amazing community! Bravo!
Truly an example of the best of who we are...as a family, and as a community. Merry Christmas Miles family :)
This is what I always say: If people put as much energy in building each other up and helping one another as they do into belittling and hate, these are the amazing things that can happen every, single day. It is wonderful what these people did for this amazing girl. And nerves do heal; the body is a miracle in and of itself. God bless.
 @Thunder Now if only media outlets like Komo reported on these good deeds more that the hate and rabble.
 @âââ  @Thunder Truly. You would think that in times like ours, if media reported the good stuff, it would generate more people wanting to do good deeds, rather than the other way around. Positivity creates more positivity.
Miracles. Happen.Â
Kindness and prayer are an amazing combination, indeed.
Doctors say lots of things. Miracles happen every single day. Things that were science fiction in my childhood are a reality today. Best wishes, Team Jacoby!
Sending prayers that sweet Jacoby will defy science and walk again. <3
And I do believe in miracles,and I believe Jacoby will walk again.She's a tough little girl.
Heart-warming, and yet at the same time heart-wrenching. Sometimes the kindness in people is overwhelming.
 @DTMD I, too, am sometimes overwhelmed by the acts of strangers (and friends).  The huge, secret donations in Salvation Army buckets, donated food, gifts, clothing to people who have experienced a setback...As long as the good continues to out weigh the bad we are....okay.
Welcome home Princess