Stevelyn Robinson works with occupational therapist Julie Walker to improve his hand
function at Quest, a Methodist Rehab outpatient program.
COURTESY SUSAN CHRISTENSEN
The Epsilon Xi chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity will award Stevelyn Robinson with funds raised by the 25th anniversary Sigma Nu Charity Bowl scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Robinson, an award-winning three-sport athlete at Montgomery High School in Winona, was paralyzed from the neck down after a school bus accident in December 2011. He caught the eye of the Ole Miss Sigma Nu chapter after it heard of his bravery and selflessness.
The now-19-year-old helped shield his younger sister, Jazalyn, from harm when their school bus collided with a log truck.
He broke four vertebrae in his neck after being crushed by the pile of other students in the bus.
Sigma Nu President Will Andrews and philanthropy chairman Paul DeForest agreed that Robinson’s story stood out to them.
“When we heard about Stevelyn’s story, we knew he would be our next recipient,” Andrews said.
“When his parents arrived at the scene of the accident, he was more concerned about them helping his little sister than himself,” Andrews added. “This kind of unselfish attitude paired with unmatched perseverance, and the fact that he is our age, made us extremely excited to help.”
The Sigma Nu Charity Bowl began 25 years ago after legendary Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins received a devastating football injury that left him a quadriplegic.
Since its inception in 1990, the Bowl has become the largest Greek philanthropy in the country, according to Andrews and DeForest.
Robinson was referred to Sigma Nu by Susan Christensen, director of public and media relations at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson.
During a 29-day stay at the center, Robinson began to show signs that his paralysis might not be permanent.
Once thought to be an impossibility, Robinson can now walk almost 100 feet with a rolling walker, Christensen reported.
Robinson currently uses a wheelchair to get around but hopes to eventually be able to walk again unassisted, according to Christensen.
“Stevelyn’s work ethic and perseverance are truly inspirational,” DeForest said. “As always, we hope that the money can help improve our recipient’s quality of life.”
Robinson, too, hopes that the money can be used to help his family and offset his lifelong medical costs.
Tickets for the Sigma Nu Charity Bowl can be purchased at the gates of Vaught-Hemingway stadium for $10.
