We are the Walter family—Ann, Rob, John, Charlie, and Alice. For over 20 years, we have lived a blessed and fortunate life in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area, surrounded by family and incredible friends. In June 2024, our oldest son, John, graduated high school and was headed to UNC. We felt loved, lucky, and so proud. But just nine days later, life threw us in a completely different direction. John fell from the back of a pickup truck on his way to play pickleball, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, and was rushed to the hospital. Within hours, we were told he might never move again. On June 26th, 2024, the doctors sat us down and told us he wasn't going to make it, giving him a less than 1% chance of survival.

But this is a story about resilience, belief, and love to levels previously unimaginable. Flooded with prayers from around the world, we refused to give up hope, and John fought his way out of a coma. On July 7th, he followed his first command—a simple thumbs-up—and our grueling, multi-year rehab journey began. From re-learning how to breathe, speak, and walk, to navigating the confusing tricks of a healing brain at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, John has tackled every obstacle with an incredibly upbeat attitude, brushing off setbacks with a resilient, trademark "Dang."

Now, in June 2026, we are two years out from the accident. John is home, blending normal family life with a relentless daily rehab routine managed largely by Ann. As treatments and therapies change, the reality of navigating and paying for long-term treatments falls on us as caregivers. We are so incredibly grateful to still have John here, and we know how fortunate we have been to receive a tidal wave of community support. That is why we are launching John’s Journey—to help John conquer the remainder of his path, and to spread that same life-saving love, hope, and financial support to other families facing the exact same challenge.