Jennifer’s Story

In early 2007 Jennifer entered the hospital with an infection. She spent weeks in the hospital in a near comatose state, with a raging infection which very nearly took her life. This infection, called "sepsis" led to "multiple organ failure" and her body effectively began to shut down, one organ at a time, under the trauma of the infection. She underwent multiple surgeries, and was under the care of many doctors in multiple specialties in the ICU. Despite their most valiant efforts, most did not expect her to survive.

But the doctors at Medical City Dallas Hospital in Dallas, Texas kept working, doing all they could to save her life. And equally importantly her family and friends stood by her, supporting one another and her newlywed husband. Slowly, Jennifer began to get better.

Thankfully, the doctors in the hospital caring for her were able to save her life but in doing so they were forced to amputate both her hands and both lower legs. Jennifer left the hospital as one of a rare group - a quad-amputee - but with her spirit for life as vibrant as ever.

But what was really remarkable was yet to come. Jennifer's spirit was not lost, despite her lengthy illness and the loss of four limbs. Jennifer was soon walking on prosthetics and within months was back at work part-time as a paralegal. She is driving, typing, and back into life with all the spirit and humor and love of life that she always had. She has even begun working as a motivational speaker (she can be contacted by email to arrange speaking engagements).

True to her spirit, and having always been an active sportswoman, Jennifer immediately began to focus on how she could turn this into something that would help others. It was out of this drive to do something with what had happened that the P.L.A.Y. Foundation was born. It was Jennifer's vision to help youth who have also undergone an amputation to learn what they can do and how to live a positive, healthy, active life by helping them get back into sports, music, arts, and physical activities. In 2008 she formed the P.L.A.Y. Foundation, gathering resources from the many people who had gathered around her during her illness.

Jennifer is an example, as are so many amputee-athletes, of just how full and exuberant a life can be and that amputations put no limits (no "limb-its" as Jennifer says) on what can be done.

P.L.A.Y. Foundation

PO Box 671302

Dallas, Texas 75367

(214) 549-9473
www.playfoundation.net

A Dallas Foundation Award Fund

This site is informational only. It is not intended to be all inclusive or as an endorsement of any company or organization or facility mentioned anywhere on the site. The information contained in this site does not and should never take the place of advice from your physician or other healthcare providers. Users of this site agree that P.L.A.Y. Foundation, its staff, advisory council, and volunteers, The Dallas Foundation, its staff, board of directors, and volunteers, and the website designers are not engaged in rendering medical advice or recommendations and make no guarantees or endorsements by or through any information contained within this website, and no information provided in this site or through this site and its links or emails should be considered as a substitute for consultation with a physician or as a form of medical advice or as an endorsement or guarantee of any type. None of the materials presented should be considered for any purpose other than informational. Further, P.L.A.Y. Foundation, its staff, advisory council, and volunteers, The Dallas Foundation, its staff, board of directors, and volunteers, and the website designers have no liability with respect to any actions taken as a result of or in connection with viewing any information contained on the website. All information contained in this site is the property of P.L.A.Y. Foundation and reproduction or modification for any purpose is prohibited without express written consent. Terms of Use and Legal Notice

How It Works

The first step for any interested child, teen (ages 5-18 years and a resident of the United States) or parent is to review the list of suggested camps, sports, or activity centers listed on our Resources & Activities Page. The activities listed here on our website are suggestions and ideas to get you started. However, P.L.A.Y. is for you, the applicant. We would like to hear about any activity that you would like to participate in. Make a suggestion and we will do our best to make it a reality.

Next, the parent or applicant should download an application form from our How to Apply Page. The application includes instructions which should be carefully read. All the listed items must be included with the application before it will be placed for consideration of a P.L.A.Y. Foundation Award.

Applications are reviewed by members of our affiliated organization, The Dallas Foundation, and then by members of our Advisory Council. Awards are granted based upon the information in the application and in some cases may involve a personal interview with a P.L.A.Y. Foundation Advisory Council member. Applications will also be reviewed by our founder, Jennifer Griffin, who is herself a quad-amputee
(see Jennifer's Story Page).