Arlen Jacob the founder of On Point Foundation is a disabled service member. After 16 years in the U.S. Army Arlen was medically discharged. During a military ski training accident in 2006, Arlen impacted a tree while skiing at over 50 mph.
Arlen broke six ribs, punctured his right lung, punctured his kidney, punctured his liver, fractured L-1 through L-5 
vertebrae and tore an artery. After two surgeries he now has six titanium screws and two rods fused in his lower spine. Nerve damage on both sides of his lower extremities have plagued him with countless other issues. His sacroiliac joints are deteriorating due to his lack of lower spinal movement and arthritis is in his spine is on a fast pace. Although Arlen still has a large portion of his mobility, he suffers from chronic pain in which his pain levels rarely go below a 6 out 10 on the pain scale.
During his recovery time Arlen only had a bunch of pillows piled up on the couch to get comfortable, which he spent the entire day sitting on when he was not sleeping.
Immediately after his accident the U.S. Army medical system tried to help Arlen by offering to purchase a special chair for Arlen to sit in, which would alleviate pain while he recovered. This was a great gesture on the U.S. Army’s part, but it took the U.S. Army’s medical system over two months to purchase the chair through the red tape of approvals. Those first two months were critical for Arlen’s recovery and his ability to be comfortable and rest was crucial.
A lady at the U.S. Army hospital who worked with Arlen to purchase the chair through the military fortunately knew the process would be long and she called a local non-profit for disabled veterans in Colorado Springs. That local non profit was started by a retired soldier and he purchased the chair for Arlen the very next day.
Two months later when the U.S. Army gave Arlen the money to purchase the chair Arlen donated the entire amount back to that non profit.
This chair allowed Arlen to sit comfortably while he went through his nine months of recovery. To this day he still uses this chair and it has become the symbol that On Point Foundation was created upon. If it was not for the local non profit who helped Arlen in a time of need he would have gone through an immense amount of pain during his recovery.
This equipment does not help Arlen race, but it played an intricate role in helping him recover in a time of need.
On Point Foundation wants to be able to bridge the gap and help disabled service members purchase the needed equipment in order to better their lives and become competitive in athletic programs once again. These types of equipment come in all shapes and sizes, but all are a financial burdens on the service member.
Donate now to help build that bridge and support our disabled service members.
