Achieving Great Success in Academics and Sports

Jesse Lawrence, 18, plays just about any sport he can. Jesse was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 8-months-old, so even though he’s used a wheelchair for the majority of his life, he hasn’t let that stop him from being as active as he can.

As a patient at the Shriners Hospital for Children – Erie, he became involved in wheelchair basketball and sled hockey, and hopes to continue playing his favorite, sled hockey, for years to come.  “It’s nice to be able to compete against other kids with disabilities” said Jesse, noting that he finds it fascinating to see what the other kids are capable of doing. 

Sports aren’t Jesse’s only interest– he’s also very accomplished academically. He was named valedictorian of the 2008 graduating class at Fort LeBoeuf High School in Waterford, Penn., and this fall he will attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on a pre-med track with hopes of eventually becoming a doctor or surgeon.

When asked if experiences at Shriners Hospitals for Children had anything to do with his chosen career path, Jesse said, “Shriners did influence my decision some, because they always pushed me to do whatever I could to achieve what I wanted. (The staff) never accepted any less than my best.”

Photo reprinted with permission from Times Publishing Company, Erie, PA. Copyright 2008