Real Stories. Real Recoveries.
Jackson’s Story: From a Wheelchair to Walking
Written by Jackson’s mom and posted with permissions from Jackson
When Everything Changed
“Jackson was a travel soccer player, straight-A student, and always full of life. He pushed through pain, never wanted to miss a moment, and took pride in working hard for the things he loved.
But in seventh grade, something changed. His energy disappeared. His body started hurting—all the time. He would come home from school and collapse into sleep for hours. Waking him in the morning became nearly impossible. One day, I tried to sit him up in bed, and his head just flopped backward. His body slumped over like a rag doll. He was exhausted. In pain. And slipping away from us.
Doctors ran every test imaginable. Bloodwork. X-rays. MRIs. All came back “normal.” They started to wonder if it was all in his head.
Then came the day that changed everything: he woke up and couldn’t walk.”
Finding hope
I remember when someone told us “pain management” was coming to consult. I was skeptical. Would they just push medication without understanding what was going on?
Instead, a member of Dr. Windsor’s team walked in and did something no one else had done: she saw Jackson. She listened. She spoke to him with respect. She made him smile—for the first time in weeks. And she gave us a plan.
When we left the hospital and went to see Dr. Windsor in clinic, that care deepened. He explained things clearly. He treated Jackson like a whole person. And most of all, he said the words that changed everything: “Your pain is real.”
That validation gave my son back his will to fight. He started to believe that recovery was possible.
Hospital After Hospital—Still No Answers
“We were admitted right away. More imaging, more tests, more psychiatric evaluations. Every specialist we saw seemed to have a theory—but no real plan. They couldn’t find a cause for the pain or the paralysis. So they began to question whether it was even real.
That’s a level of helplessness I wouldn’t wish on any parent. Watching your child in pain—while people imply it’s all psychological. Watching hope slip away.
And most of all, he said the words that changed everything: “Your pain is real.”
Fighting Forward
Jackson was eventually diagnosed with a severe form of AMPS (Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome), chronic fatigue syndrome, dysautonomia, and juvenile enthesitis-related arthritis. It was a complex mix of conditions—and Dr. Windsor never shied away from it.
Over the years, he’s guided us through countless treatments, from nerve blocks and infusions to functional medicine and physical therapy. When something didn’t work, he pivoted. When Jackson hit setbacks, Dr. Windsor helped him rebuild.
Jackson hasn’t been in a wheelchair since the middle of eighth grade. He graduated Magna Cum Laude this year. He drives, plays golf sometimes, and lives a fuller life than we ever imagined back when he couldn’t get out of bed.
“They gave Jackson his life back by never giving up on him. And even now, they still show up—because they care that much.”
Still Here. Still Fighting.
Is his journey over? No. Jackson still has hard days. We still don’t have every answer. But through it all, Dr. Windsor hasn’t given up.
He continues to investigate. To try new things. To care—deeply. Not because he has to, but because that’s who he is.
Dr. Windsor is a large part of Jackson’s story. And we know he’ll continue to be—through young adulthood and beyond. We are forever grateful for his care, his compassion, and his refusal to quit.