Hi! I'm Aman Deshmukh

On March 6, 2025, a pole vaulting accident changed my life. I went from being an active, healthy teen to a cervical spinal cord injury survivor navigating medical and insurance complexities.
Thanks to everyone who supported me by signing the petition for my treatment referral to Craig Hospital. Your commitment made a difference!

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I am a sophomore at Foothill High School in Pleasanton and the pole vault captain on the school’s track team. I had set ambitious goals for myself this season, and was clearing 11 ft. Unfortunately on March 6, during track practice at school, I had an accident and injured my C4 and C5 cervical vertebrae.

EMTs rushed me to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland where their great trauma team helped get me to a more stable state. Within five days, I had three procedures including spinal fusion.
After three weeks, the amazing medical teams at UCSF along with my friends and family had brought me to a point where I could be moved from the ICU. I started breathing on my own and was slowly able to eat most meals.

At this point I am paralyzed below my neck, but I am working with available resources to push myself.
My treating doctors at UCSF have referred me to Craig Hospital in Denver, which offers a specialized, cohort based teenage spinal cord rehab program (TRAC). I am excited about working hard at rehab with other teens going through what I am facing, with opportunities to connect on life with SCI, classroom time with peers, as well as activities such as adaptive sports and driving with other teens which will give me hope, confidence, and strength for my future.

A bit about me...
Multicultural: I have grown up in Europe, Asia, and the United States and cherish my friendships across the world.
Leadership: As captain of my High School pole vault team, Boy Scouts summer camp instructor at Wolfeboro, and as a volunteer for causes focused on sustainability, I have enjoyed helping others and learning in the process.
Creativity: I am very interested in transportation design and am a hobbyist photographer. I am always thinking of new ideas and making a difference in the world.
Academics: I am curious about many different topics. I take pride in doing my best in all of my courses, whether it is English or Engineering, and have been recognized with a US President's Education Award.There is so much I want to do, including awareness about spinal cord injury, pole vaulting safety, and accessible design. I am grateful for all the support I have received so far and looking forward to overcoming this. Watch this space as I start my next chapter.

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