One of our main goals at Ranken Jordan is to find something that our patients connect with during their time here, whether it’s golf, music or spending time outside. Finding that connection point can often be the key to their recovery and provide much needed joy for kids going through so much.

For one of our patients, 17-year-old Jatayvion “JT” Thomas from Palmyra, Mo., painting at Ranken Jordan has been a lifeline for him, something to distract him from a horrible injury he sustained while playing football for his high school.

And most are surprised by how JT is painting: with his mouth.

Known as a standout athlete in his community, JT’s life changed forever during a football game on Sept. 12, 2025. JT sustained a spinal cord injury while making a tackle and was rushed to University Hospital in Columbia, Mo.

Following his time in the hospital, JT came to Ranken Jordan in November 2025. JT currently has feeling in his torso but he cannot move his arms and hands or his legs and feet.

“It’s been a major change for me,” JT said. “I’ve always been an outdoorsman, running around and playing sports. Everything happens for a reason and I’m keeping the faith and hope strong. But it’s been a big change for the whole community I grew up with and all my friends and family.”

JT has always loved art and his dad is an artist so trying art at Ranken Jordan was a natural fit.

We offer a robust therapeutic art program led by art teacher Julie Villhard. The program is an example of our Care Beyond the Bedside® model, which focuses on getting kids out of their hospital rooms and using the power of play and fun to help them heal.

When a therapist suggested JT try painting with his mouth, JT laughed at first but Julie encouraged him to try it.

“I figured trying something new doesn’t hurt anyone,” JT said.

Since then, JT has become a bit of a celebrity at Ranken Jordan for the incredible art he creates by holding the paint brush in his mouth. Painting has helped JT fill his time and it has been a welcome distraction. He sometimes paints for four hours at a time.

“It takes your head away from things,” JT said. “You’re more focused on the painting than what’s going on around you. Going through an injury at 17 years old is tough and depression is a real thing so painting gives me an outlet.”

Painting has also been a source of camaraderie for JT during his time at Ranken Jordan. His football teammates visit on the weekends and many have tried mouth painting.

JT’s paintings have gained him recognition beyond Ranken Jordan. He shares his art online on his Four JT’s Journey Facebook page which has more than 7,000 followers, and he sold some of his pieces to raise money for the Missouri nonprofit, Down Country.

He has also entered his art for consideration as part of an annual youth exhibit at the renowned Saint Louis Art Museum, and is waiting to hear back if his pieces have been accepted.

JT’s mom, Luchea Thomas, added she believes painting at Ranken Jordan has helped her son keep the faith following that horrible night on the football field. “I tell Julie every day that that’s what keeps him going,” she said.

JT said he’s taking life day by day and he is focused on restoring his mobility through physical therapy and occupational therapy. He also plans to attend his high school graduation in May.

“It has been hard, it has been very stressful,” Luchea said. “But I tell him you just gotta stay strong. We’re going to get through this together. We’re not going to give up.”

Programs like therapeutic art are made possible through donations. If you’re interested in supporting Ranken Jordan, please visit RankenJordanFoundation.org.