Justin Lennon changed the direction of his life after a spinal cord injury in June 2017 left him a quadriplegic, according to a July 8 announcement. Lennon, who had just completed his sophomore year at The Ohio State University as a chemical engineering major, suffered the injury while jumping on a trampoline at home in Cincinnati and spent two weeks hospitalized in southwestern Ohio.
Following months of recovery and decision-making about his future, Lennon decided to return to Columbus. In October, he transitioned his care to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he met with physicians and specialists coordinating care for spinal cord injuries. “If I was here for physical therapy and occupational therapy, I could also have my appointments lined up with specialized spinal cord injury care, including the Wheelchair Clinic,” Lennon said. “They did a very good job trying to make that all happen,” he said.
Lennon’s experience at the medical center led him to change his academic focus from chemical engineering to psychology. He later earned a master’s degree in social work. By 2024, Lennon began working as a social worker at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care.
Ohio State Health and Discovery addresses societal issues such as health equity and substance use to promote inclusive well-being; it includes hospitals and outpatient facilities as part of its academic medical center; seeks to advance health locally and globally through innovations in research, education, patient care and community involvement; offers resources on wellness topics; and focuses on health care, research and education efforts across Ohio and worldwide, according to the official website.
Lennon’s story reflects how patients can find new purpose following significant life changes with support from specialized teams.
