J’Monica McCoy of Tupelo is a devoted young mother who aspires to a future in health care, but her path has been anything but ordinary.

In 2016, at age 17, J’Monica’s life changed in an instant when an accidental gunshot wound left her a T2 paraplegic—paralyzed from the chest down.

Facing the Unimaginable

“My whole life changed,” J’Monica recalls. After emergency surgery at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, she spent several months at Baldwyn Nursing Facility recovering and learning how to adapt to her new normal.

After several months at Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago, she continued physical and occupational therapy at NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center.

Reclaiming Independence

While the physical challenges were immense, the mental hurdles were just as real. “After my accident, I was kind of stuck mentally and thinking that I don’t know what I’m going to be able to do next,” she shared.

J’Monica’s determination was evident throughout her recovery. “They helped me become able to take care of myself from my wheelchair and build my endurance,” she said. “My therapists made me push myself. You have to put in the work, but it’s very rewarding after the fact because now I’ve got most of my independence back.”

Learning to drive was a milestone that came with a lot of uncertainty because she had not driven before her accident. J’Monica says her therapists were very patient with her and helped get adaptations for her vehicle.

Finding Freedom

In 2024, J’Monica took on a new adventure: NMMC’s Adaptive Water Ski Clinic for individuals with spinal cord injuries or other physical limitations. “It was so fun. It allowed me to feel so free,” she said. “They made sure I knew that they were there beside me the entire time so I wouldn’t panic. It allowed me to see that I’m not confined by my chair. I can still do the majority of whatever I want to do.”