Jason Ball

I had another article published in the Latter-day Sentinel.  I love interviewing.   I get to meet the most Amazing People! http://spokane.latterdaysentinel.com/

 

January 05, 2012

News

Hayden Lake humanitarian scales hurdles to help others

By Gloria J. Warnick, Staff Writer

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January 05, 2012 — As a distance runner and triathlete, Jason Ball understands that every race has its obstacles - but they are nothing compared to the challenges he has faced in real life.

The first event occurred when he was 10 years of age. His younger brother and best friend, David, was killed when a motor home backed over him accidentally. He was 8 years old. This traumatic incident brought a solemnity to Jason's life that had not been there before.

When Jason was 14, he suffered one of the worst femur breaks ever seen in San Diego, the result of a motocross accident. He was confined to a body cast and was told he would never run again. Jason not only learned to walk in his body cast, but at the age of 25, he became a runner.


After suffering a severe motocross injury that left him in a body cast, Jason Ball was told he would never run again. He now competes in marathons and triathlons. Contributed Photo.

"One of my legs is a bit shorter and twisted, and my footprints in the snow appear a bit odd," Jason said. "But I know that perseverance in the face of adversity is essential."

Jason currently runs three to 10 miles a day and participates in marathons and triathlons but sits out the Coeur d'Alene Ironman competition because it is held on Sunday. He relies on his dog, Diesel, to help him keep on track and adhere to his schedule of morning runs.

When he is not running, Jason works as the Community Relations manager for the Four Seasons Retirement Community where his schedule involves collaborating with hospitals, doctors and community action groups. But his family health needs have brought new meaning in a quest to provide service to others whil establishing an outline of definable goals.

"My wife had cancer treatments recently," said Jason. "Whenever she was dehydrated, they would have a hard time putting a needle in her arm. So I thought, 'Well, We need to figure out a better needle.' I know that the cost factor is part of what makes this difficult, but I would like to invent a needle that is small enough to insert into a collapsed vein but then can expand to allow a greater flow."


Jason served as the Hayden Lake Stake coordinator for the Day of Service this year. He works full-time for the Four Seasons Retirement Community. Contributed Photo.

"I've thought of a couple of ways this could work," Jason continued. "However, needles are disposable, so they need to be relatively inexpensive. But what if this were one of those backup items for patients that are severely dehydrated or for when the health provider knew there was a history of difficulty accessing a vein for some reason. Maybe it could be a specialty item in a hospital, I don't know. There seems to be a tremendous need."

Some of us get to hear music, some of us create art or words, but Jason redesigns the things that he sees every day. Even though he has written and drawn his thoughts, most of his work has stopped at the design stage.

Jason says that he loves the fact that life has many facets. "Life is an exploration," he says, but then seems genuinely surprised at where his explorations have led him, back to philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors, with an emphasis on technology and in the medical community.

"The cost of patents, and just not enough hours in a day are a couple of the reasons," he said. "However, as I move through life, I'm realizing that rather than always trying to do everything by myself; it's nice to be involved with other people. And, as I get involved with other groups I find that I can accomplish things that I couldn't possibly have done otherwise."

For example, Jason was the Hayden Lake Stake coordinator for the 'Helping Hands, Day of Service' this year. He worked with the University of Idaho Extension Office as they created a mobile food bank for the event. The experience gave him the opportunity to work within the community networks to meet a specific community need.


Jason has decided to sit out the Coeur d'Alene Ironman competition each year because of his commitment not to compete on Sunday. Contributed Photo.

His daily work in the assisted living care industry also gives him a unique understanding concerning the needs of many homebound seniors.

"They may still be active and able to cook meals for themselves but getting out to purchase food items can be a problem," he said. "I'd like to create a nationwide mobile food bank program for the delivery of food to our seniors. Yes, there is already a wonderful Meals on Wheels Program - and they deliver prepared meals to the homebound but there are also a great many people who aren't ready for that program but still have a level of need."

Jason recently talked with the local Community Action Partnership and has an appointment to sit down and map out his plan. This group was set up with a promise to change people's lives by embodying the spirit of hope, improving communities, and making America a better place to live. They care about the entire community, and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. (www.communityactionpartnership.com).

Jason, a father of five, currently serves on a variety of community boards including the Hayden Senior Center, CareNet (2012 president), Advisory Council Dirne Clinic (advisor), Hayden Chamber of Commerce (board member) and the Gem Community Citizens Project Group (chairman of the board).

One group that Jason works with is the Gem Community Citizens Project Group. This board was formed to look at needs in the Hayden community. While the shortages may seem overwhelming, progress is being made by focusing on one project at a time. The baseball fields at Crofoot Park were GCCPG's first undertaking. The Hayden Senior Center has also been developed under its umbrella. The center, a non-profit organization, now serves thousands on an annual basis.

Life takes many turns and we stumble into people at the most opportune times of our lives. Jason had several experiences that he feels helped him establish profound roots in the arena of wellness and living a healthy lifestyle. His character traits of compassion and perseverance can, hopefully, inspire us to make our daily lives more productive by recognizing opportunities to serve and finding solutions to everyday problems - one step at a time.