Jackson Drum, an 18-year-old from Alexandria, Minnesota, sustained a catastrophic neck injury in January 2024 during a hockey tournament in Burnaby, British Columbia. Drum collided headfirst into the boards, fracturing the top two vertebrae of his spine, C1 and C2 causing a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe without a ventilator.
Doctors initially gave a guarded prognosis, noting that injuries at this high cervical level often result in complete paralysis and dependence on mechanical ventilation. Drum underwent emergency spinal stabilization surgery to fuse his C1 and C2 vertebrae, followed by extensive inpatient rehabilitation. Jackson has been active in social media sharing his recovery journey and to try and help himself to raise enough money to keep the recovery and rehabilitation go on.
In the months following the accident, Jackson’s progress defied expectations. After weeks of assisted breathing, he began to take his first independent breaths. Physical therapy gradually restored partial movement in his upper and lower limbs. Videos shared by his family show him lifting his arms and flexing his legs small but significant milestones for a C1–C2 injury survivor.
He currently uses a wheelchair and continues daily rehabilitation exercises aimed at rebuilding strength, coordination, and respiratory endurance. According to his family’s updates, Jackson’s determination and positive attitude have become a major part of his healing process. He has expressed hopes of one day returning to hockey as a coach or mentor, channeling his love for the sport into helping young athletes.
Following the injury, Jackson’s teammates, coaches, and fellow players from across Minnesota and beyond rallied behind him. Fundraisers, benefit games, and community events were organized to support his medical expenses and rehabilitation.
A GoFundMe campaign launched shortly after his injury surpassed $200,000, reflecting the strong backing of the hockey community. The Alexandria Area Hockey Association held charity games, and players wore “DrumStrong” patches on their jerseys in solidarity.
Jackson’s parents, Chad and Michelle Drum, have publicly thanked the community for its ongoing emotional and financial support. Local businesses and national hockey organizations also contributed to awareness campaigns highlighting spinal injury prevention and safety in contact sports.
Drum’s injury resembles the high cervical spinal cord trauma suffered by actor Christopher Reeve in 1995, which left Reeve paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve’s public advocacy significantly advanced spinal cord injury research, leading to new rehabilitation methods such as electrical stimulation therapy and neural repair trials.
Similarly, athletes like Eric LeGrand, a former college football player paralyzed during a game in 2010, and Rick Hansen, a Canadian Paralympian, have turned personal injury into platforms for awareness and hope. Drum’s case joins this lineage of individuals redefining what recovery can look like after spinal trauma.
The C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae are located at the top of the spine and play crucial roles in supporting head movement and protecting the brainstem. Damage at this level can disrupt nerve pathways controlling breathing, limb movement, and other vital functions.3
Treatment typically involves immediate immobilization, surgical fusion, respiratory management, and long-term rehabilitation. Recovery potential depends on whether the spinal cord injury is “complete” or “incomplete.” In Jackson’s case, the return of movement and breathing ability suggests partial preservation of neurological function.
Advances in spinal cord injury management such as exoskeleton-assisted walking, epidural stimulation, and stem-cell research offer hope for patients with cervical-level injuries. Rehabilitation specialists emphasize the importance of early therapy, consistent motivation, and social support.
References
People Magazine. “Jackson Drum, Teen Hockey Player Paralyzed in Neck Injury Similar to Christopher Reeve’s, Regains Movement.” People, October 2024. https://people.com/jackson-drum-hockey-teen-paralyzed-christopher-reeve-neck-injury-recovery-11832878.
CTV News Vancouver. “Local Hockey Community Steps Up After Minnesota Teen Breaks His Neck at Tournament in Burnaby.” CTV News, January 2024. https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/local-hockey-community-steps-up-after-minnesota-teen-breaks-his-neck-at-tournament-in-burnaby-bc/.
Chan, Christie W. L., Janice J. Eng, Charles H. Tator, and Andrei Krassioukov. 2016. “Epidemiology of Sport-Related Spinal Cord Injuries: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine 39, no. 3 (May): 255-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2016.1138601. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
(Rh/TL)