On the evening of August 12th 2003 Eden Prairie firefighters Jay Wood, Jason Brown and Jay Bohlen were caught in a ceiling collapse at an apartment fire. Jay Wood was the most seriously injured with a heavily damaged knee and a torn up shoulder.
Jay has endured many long visits with specialists of all kinds as well as surgery and rehab sessions to get his knee and shoulder back into condition for the rigors of daily life and firefighting too. Jay’s full-time profession is training horses at his farm in Plato, MN. Jay also volunteers with the Plato Fire Department and serves as a training Chief there.
Yesterday was a very emotional day for me, and I suspect for Jay as well. Jay was cleared by his team of specialists to return to firefighting duties. Jay has shown courage and determination in his long journey back to full health and the department. I couldn’t imagine being injured for 18 months, and yet every time I’ve seen Jay he has been upbeat and positive about his return to a normal life. A life that includes being a volunteer firefighter for Eden Prairie.
Way to go Jay!
Jay Wood in a recent photo after his promotion to Lieutenant.
