A Tribute to Jamel Sawyer

Justin's Wings of Hope
May 21
2 min read

This week, we pause to honor the life, spirit, and legacy of Jamel Sawyer — a remarkable young man whose courage and determination touched all who knew his story.

Though his time with us was far too short, his resilience and passion left a lasting impact.

At just 20 years old, while studying Physical Therapy at Norwalk Community College and pursuing his love of sports, Jamel became paralyzed from the waist down after an unexpected battle with MRSA — a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection. The infection formed a cyst on his spinal cord, changing the course of his life in an instant.

“It’s sad that it had to be like this for me, but now I see how many people care about me. I didn’t know… I cried when I learned. You never know how much you are loved.” – Jamel Sawyer, 2011

In 2011, Wings of Hope made a $5,000 contribution to help Jamel and his family outfit their home to be wheelchair-accessible. That support was made possible by the generosity of our donors — people who believed in Jamel’s strength and future.

And Jamel had dreams. After witnessing a wheelchair basketball game in Atlanta, he envisioned starting a local adaptive sports club — a space for athletes with disabilities to compete, grow, and belong.

“They were playing really hard; they were very competitive. I never knew about this... and it

would be good to start one,” Jamel shared.

Despite facing enormous challenges, Jamel never lost hope. He overcame a difficult childhood, and through it all, he remained determined to pay it forward — to be a light for others.

Today, we remember Jamel not only for the obstacles he faced but for the hope, vision, and heart he brought into the world.

To Jamel’s family — our hearts remain with you.

To our supporters — thank you for making these moments of hope possible.

And to Jamel — your legacy lives on.