Recovering Teacher Celebrates Birthday

NORTH CAPE MAY – The elementary school physical education teacher who suffered several strokes in February celebrated his birthday May 15, thankful “for the amazing support” he and his fiance have received from the community. 
Jerry Griffin turned 29, and is “doing well,” according to his fiance, Helen Linney. “The support we’ve received has been tremendous,” she said, “truly amazing. We could feel the love from the start. We’ve been blown away by everything.”
Linney was referring to more than $96,000 raised by a GoFundMe campaign started by a fellow teacher friend of Griffin’s. In addition, she said, “Students have sent cards, we’ve received flowers and pictures, and little notes that make us laugh. Kids say the darndest things.”
In addition, Griffin was recently awarded the “most influential teacher” by his students and “walked up there and was able to accept the award,” added Linney.
Griffin collapsed at a local gym Feb. 26 and was taken to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, where the medical team found a blood clot at the stem of his brain, blocking blood flow to his brain, causing multiple strokes.
Linney said her fiance remembers the incident. “He said he felt like something burst in the back of his head,” she explained. “He went to sit down and lost his balance. One of his friends was at the gym and saw that he was disoriented.”
Linney said it’s not known what caused the blood clot to form; Griffin is taking a blood thinner and aspirin “for now.”
He’s also undergoing outpatient rehabilitation twice a week, as he’s had to re-learn to walk, talk, and rebuild his strength. “His balance is still off, so that affects his ability to walk,” Linney said. “At home, we’re doing what we used to do. I’m still doing the laundry and he folds it. He said it’s hard for him but that’s good because we need to rebuild his strength.”
Rebuilding his strength and recovering is high on the list because the couple recently set their wedding date: Sept. 8, 2018.
“We just want to thank everyone for their support,” Linney said. “I think it’s a testament to all Jerry did as a teacher, coach and employee. Never in a million years did we ever expect anything like what we’ve experienced.”
Anyone wanting to donate to Griffin’s campaign can do so through the GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/jerrygriffin or by sending a check in his name to Lower Cape May Regional High School. 
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.