Jordan Almendral

Jordan Almendral always dreamed of being a baseball player. He played for Christopher Columbus High School with hopes of one day being in the majors.

But on July 11, 2010, Jordan’s dream was shattered. It was the summer before his senior year.

Only blocks from his home in Westchester and just a mile from FIU, the SUV Jordan was riding in was in a serious crash. He was ejected from the vehicle and critically injured.

Jordan was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Emergency brain surgery saved his life. Spinal surgery followed. Jordan woke up from a coma after six weeks to learn he would never walk again. About six months after the accident, he decided it was time to accept this new reality.

After months of physical therapy, Jordan completed his senior year of high school through a home-schooling program. Setting his sights on a career in sports psychology, he enrolled at FIU in 2012.

At FIU, Jordan’s classmates and professors saw his ability not his disability. His brother and sister stayed up late to type reports as Jordan dictated. His mom would drive him to the library to study. He attended football games with his dad as his tailgate partner. Jordan made the most of his college experience and completed his bachelor’s in psychology.

Jordan wants to help athletes overcome any hurdles to success. He is searching for internships in sports psychology and wants to pursue a master’s degree.

By Ayleen Barbel Fattal
Account Manager, College of Arts, Sciences & Education