Dana and Taylor Spradling of Just in Time Adaptive Wellness sat down with Good Day Clermont! to tell the story of their incredible healing journey.
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In his 20s, Taylor Spradling lived life at full speed. He played soccer at Northern Kentucky University, where he stood out as a strong athlete and leader. After college, he coached soccer at Xavier University and Northern Arizona University.
Athlete and musician Taylor Spradling
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness
At the age of 29, Taylor experienced a traumatic brain injury caused by a genetic mutation affecting his heart. The illness escalated rapidly into chronic physical disabilities that required 24/7 care and over 200 days of various inpatient hospital and therapeutic care.
“We were very blessed to have extraordinary medical care at UC,” Dana said during the interview. The team at UC Health treated Taylor with quality treatment and compassion. Because he was young, many nurses and staff members connected with him right away. That support gave Dana comfort during this period of overwhelming uncertainty.
Despite the initial success of Taylor’s treatment, anxiety loomed over the future of Dana’s family. During her discussion with Good Day Clermont!, she illustrated her initial concern of becoming Taylor’s full-time care provider upon his return home. She described the experience as starting “a brand new life” that she didn’t feel prepared to handle.
Taylor Spradling exercises during physical therapy.
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness
Taylor faced many challenges on his road to recovery, including losing his ability to speak, swallow, and cough — biological mechanisms that help a person survive their day-to-day life. While their time in the hospital helped Dana understand Taylor’s medical condition, she began to learn the extent of the everyday problems they would need to manage, such as trimming Taylor’s hair or finding the best way to build storage space in the home for new medical equipment.
Dana credits her maternal instincts and faith to the family’s ability to overcome months of hardship. “We are an extremely faithful family,” she stated. “We believed that God did choose Taylor and then ultimately chose us, which has led us into other opportunities to help other people.”
She calls that purpose “giving faith legs.” Instead of letting pain define their story, Dana decided to turn it into action.
The Spradling family with service dog "Truman."
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness
Through her experience with Taylor and the opportunities that blossomed from it, Dana founded Just In Time Adaptive Wellness. The organization specializes in accessibility, adaptability, and inclusivity for people living with physical disabilities.
Months of hyperfocus on Taylor’s condition bothered Dana. She felt that fixating on the illness itself doesn’t help anyone heal, feel better, or do better. Instead, Dana wanted to focus on how she could help Taylor and others in the community continue to live joyful, thriving lives by supporting them with resources to maintain their hygiene, living spaces, and hobbies.
Listen to the latest episode of “Good Day Clermont!”
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness provides public speaking advocacy for people living with disabilities, business coaching to encourage a more handicap inclusive community, and mobile transportation services.
Taylor plays FIFA 22.
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness
The organization also connects Clermont residents to:
Dana wants families to know they do not have to walk this road alone.
Since his diagnosis in 2021, Taylor has made powerful strides in his recovery. He exercises often, spends time outdoors on his bike, and enjoys trips to the lake with family and friends. Taylor is also an aspiring musician who plays the drums, one of his favorite hobbies. Music lessons, supported through Just In Time Adaptive Wellness, help him continue improving his skills.
Taylor striking his signature "thumbs up" pose.
Just In Time Adaptive Wellness
Connect Clermont amplifies the voices of the residents and business owners who contribute Good Works and Good Deeds to the community. Aligned with the Agenda for the Future, Clermont leadership supports efforts to improve the quality of life for all people in Southwest Ohio.
Dana asks readers to follow and share Just In Time Adapative Wellness on Facebook and Instagram. Reaching 1,000 followers enables the organization to access Amazon Storefront, which they can share and list products based on the Spradling family's lived experience, saving other families time and energy.
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