Meet the Scotts

Summer 2024

From the moment their son arrived at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Janet and Jim Scott knew they could rely on his care team to help their family — but they had yet to learn just how meaningful that connection would become.

Janet and Jim’s longstanding relationship with Spaulding began in the spring of 2005, when their son Andrew sustained a spinal cord injury following a severe fall from a balcony in Mexico. He was immediately air-lifted to a hospital in Houston for acute care before being transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston, where he spent six weeks undergoing inpatient occupational and physical therapy.

Throughout Andrew’s entire rehabilitation, from the day he arrived to the day he returned home, the whole Scott family found comfort in his Spaulding team, leaning on the commitment and experience of these skilled professionals to cope with a new life post-injury. “Before Andrew was discharged, one of the members of the clinical team came to our house to assess the adjustments we would need to make given his capabilities,” recalls Janet. “It was above and beyond what we expected.”

Tragically, 14 months later, the Scotts’ older son Jimmy was in a serious car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury along with a host of other health challenges. They turned again to Spaulding to get their son the treatment he needed. “He initially had trouble speaking and walking,” Janet shares. “It was a really long road to recovery, but the team gave us hope and confidence to overcome these newfound obstacles.”

Inspired by their sons’ superlative care, Janet and Jim decided to give back to Spaulding. “Before we had even left the hospital the second time, we had partnered with Spaulding financially,” says Janet. “We wanted to help people learn how to accept their situation and move forward into a new way of life, like we did.”

Since then, Janet and Jim have continued to support Spaulding’s work with funds from their company, RAWZ Pet Food. The Scotts founded RAWZ as an employment opportunity for Jimmy that would accommodate his special needs following his injury. The company donates 100% of their profits to local organizations. To date, RAWZ has given nearly half a million dollars to Spaulding, including a recent $25,000 gift to Spaulding’s Supportive Surroundings program, which provides lodging and other necessities to families in need while their loved ones are in our care.

These resources play a key role in helping patients and families transition from inpatient care back to home. As the Scott family knows firsthand, successfully returning home and adjusting to their condition is critical to a patient’s long-term recovery. Happily, Andrew and Jimmy have thrived in the years since their accidents, with Janet calling their recoveries “truly a miracle.”

Andrew obtained a college degree and both he and Jimmy now live independently. Andrew is a math teacher and sports coach at a local high school. Jimmy speaks publicly and writes about his experience, even publishing a book on the topic. “We taught our children it is all about giving back,” shares Janet. “Now, we work together to help others. It’s become their reason to get up in the morning.”

If you would like to help others find their strength like the Scotts, please consider a donation to Spaulding. Your philanthropy and partnership help us bring the best care to our patients — and to their entire families.