Teacher’s Condition Improves, Transferred to Rehab Center

NORTH CAPE MAY – The 28-year-old elementary school physical education teacher who suffered several strokes in February has been discharged from the hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation facility. 
Jerry Griffin collapsed at a local gym Feb. 26 and was taken to Cooper University Hospital, Camden. The medical team found a blood clot at the stem of his brain, blocking blood flow to the brain causing multiple strokes. A GoFundMe campaign started by colleague Thomas “TJ” Belasco has raised more than $90,000 to help offset medical and other expenses.
“The response has been unbelievable,” Belasco said about the GoFundMe campaign. “One person who donated said they did not know Jerry personally, but ‘It’s what you do for people in your own community.’ That made my day because it’s exactly what I believe.”
Belasco, a teacher who worked with Griffin at the Washington Inn, started the campaign to cover expenses not covered by medical insurance, and to help Griffin’s fiancée, Helen Linney, with living expenses she is unable to cover because she is at her fiancé’s bedside and not working.
According to Griffin’s sister, Alison Griffin Woolfort, Griffin is “Working hard and getting ready to begin the next phase of his recovery.”
At the hospital this past week, she watched his transfer out of bed and stand up “with a great deal of assistance from two staff members.
“After passing his swallowing evaluation, he is tolerating a puree diet with thickened liquids, and we are hoping that he will again be upgraded very soon,” Woolfort said.
Griffin continued to improve this week: He sat in a chair with assistance, his vision is improving, and he can raise his arms further than he could the prior week.
For now, Griffin’s family is asking people to refrain from visiting at present “Because Jerry needs to focus on his rehabilitation and recovery,” his sister said.
“Most of his day will be consumed by therapy, and he also needs to rest.
“We have read a few of the cards that have been sent to Jerry, and it’s been very emotional for him as you can imagine,” she added. “We would like to thank everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Your love and support have been keeping us going.”
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 or Linney’s name to Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Belasco is a teacher there and said he would ensure all checks were given to the family.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.