Jack Mehr sits on his porch in Milltown, New Jersey, confidently strumming his guitar. The braces on his legs and a nearby walker are the only small signs of the event that changed his life.
Before his injury, Jack graduated from the University of Virginia, where he studied psychology and philosophy. Mehr also spent time as a professional poker player — a “unique way to spend my 20s,” as he puts it — living in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.
A Life-Changing Moment
In March 2023, Jack had a serious mental health crisis. He attempted suicide by jumping from his Philadelphia apartment building.
He was rushed to a local hospital with many serious injuries. He suffered a spinal cord injury called cauda equina, leaving him unable to walk, and a tear in a major blood vessel near his heart, which is often deadly.
Looking for Hope
Jack spent three months in the ICU and three more at a skilled nursing facility. He was still in a cast, a catheter and a wheelchair when he was told his therapy was complete. His mom, Christina “Trina” Mehr, a former Milltown mayor, remembers thinking, “How could that be?”
The family soon learned about the Spinal Cord Injury Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.
A Turning Point
In the fall of 2023, Jack began his intensive inpatient therapy at Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.
Jack was the first patient in the new Eric LeGrand Spinal Cord Injury Patient Care Room. The room was created with a $250,000 donation from Rutgers Football Coach Greg Schiano and his wife, Christy. They named it after Eric LeGrand, a Rutgers football player who hurt his spinal cord in a game.
For two weeks, a team led by physical rehabilitation specialist Jennifer Chui, M.D., cared for Jack. With support from a rehabilitation psychologist, Jack was set on a new path.
Learning to Walk Again
With the team’s help, Jack went from using a wheelchair to walking. He uses a cane at home and a walker and leg braces when walking around town. And he recently started taking lessons to drive with hand controls and will take his driver's test soon.
Jack says his care team changed his life. He is especially thankful for Dr. Chui, who diagnosed his spinal cord injury. “After arriving at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, I started to believe I could live independently again. The team always knew just how hard to push me,” he says.
His mother remembers, “Jack couldn’t get in and out of the car when we first brought him. Two weeks later, he could do it alone. His outcome has exceeded our hopes. We are so grateful.”
Healing on the Inside, Too
Jack’s recovery was not just about the physical strides he’s made, but also about his emotional support. He describes the psychological support he received, alongside his physical rehabilitation, as essential to his recovery.
Jack was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and he now gets treatment to keep his mind and body healthy.
“I had to work through the grief over my suicide attempt while also working to recover from my injuries,” he says. Today, Jack volunteers at a suicide hotline and is pursuing an advanced degree in psychology at The College of New Jersey.
Jack shares that he’s getting top grades in his classes, and he hopes to become a mental health counselor to help other rehabilitation patients.
A New Future Helping Others
Jack’s family hopes his story can help others. “Everyone knows someone who is struggling,” his mother says. “We knew Jack had depression, but not mania. This came out of the blue. It’s been an up-and-down road, but there is hope. We are glad we came home to New Jersey for his treatment.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than one million Americans survive suicide attempts each year, many with lasting disabilities. Today, Jack looks forward to his future. He wants to help others who are struggling with their mental health.
“I never thought I could be a mental health practitioner,” he says. “Now I believe I can be there for people struggling with mental illness. My journey has made me want to be in a field that focuses on healing.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Jennifer Chui, M.D.
- Make an appointment online with a doctor near you, or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about rehabilitation at Hackensack Meridian Health.
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