On May 27, 2021, Jeff Jones, 39, Indian River firefighter, paramedic and member of Trinity, Vero Beach, entered the hospital for a routine intensive physical called LifeScan, a biennial requirement for all first responders. The results from a battery of tests revealed two life-threatening heart conditions. That shock was only the beginning of a story that, beyond the pain and problems, revealed the healing, sustaining power of both God and the local church.

Specialists diagnosed Jones with cardiomyopathy, also known as heart failure, directly related to his work as a firefighter. Although the condition left him with the heart of an 80- to 90-year-old man, he had never experienced symptoms other than fatigue. Doctors also discovered a right coronary anomaly, a congenital condition requiring open-heart surgery. Most people with this problem do not live past their high school years.

As a firefighter, Jones has encountered all types of situations. “I’m a first responder,” he said. “So, out of necessity, not much fazes me. This, however, really got my attention. I was pretty nervous about it.”

The Jones family | Photo Credit: Gretchen Jones

Some of the concerns floating around in Jones’ thoughts included the welfare of his family, which includes his wife, Gretchen, along with their 9-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. A family history of heart disease and the fact that two of his firefighter brothers had recently died from various heart-related issues also weighed on his mind.

But Jones did not face these battles on his own. “The church has been there from the beginning, both spiritually and financially,” he said.

He required six months of extensive tests and various drug treatments to strengthen his heart and improve his chances of enduring the seven-hour surgery. With only two weeks until the Oct. 28 surgery date, workers’ compensation denied his entire case and withheld his paycheck.

Yet Jones pressed forward. “I didn’t go negative in my faith,” he said. “While I do have some questions, I am confident God has a plan. The ordeal has reminded me of what I have, and how it could all be gone in the blink of an eye. Time is so precious to me now, especially time with the kids, and making memories together.”

Just two weeks after surgery, though very weak, he was back at services at Trinity. “I walked in dressed in shorts, T-shirt and sandals, holding my heart-shaped pillow to hug whenever I coughed or sneezed since both were terribly painful. I felt like a 6-year-old. I was safe. I made it back. It was a relief and very emotional.”

Through the long ordeal of diagnosis, surgery and recovery, Jones, blessed by supportive relationships, never felt alone.

“My wife, Gretchen, has been my rock, always by my side,” he said. “Also, there are four to five of us guys who get together for lunch on Thursdays. We just talk about guy stuff and what it’s like to be a dad.”

(L-R) The Rev. Josh Gritter and Jeff Jones | Photo Credit: Gretchen Jones

Those “guys” include The Rev. Chris Rodriguez, Trinity’s rector, and The Rev. Josh Gritter, assistant to the rector, with whom Jones has enjoyed a good relationship for several years. “My family, my firefighter family and my church family have been my support,” he said.

Trinity created a compelling YouTube video telling his story as part of its Annual Fund pledge drive. Jones’ wife, who works as a preschool teacher at the church, also put together a GoFundMe page to help with the medical bills and lack of income.

“A lot of the parishioners have donated to the GoFundMe … to help with financial assistance for us,” Jones said. His wife said, “It’s just a good feeling to have people genuinely concerned and care for the well-being of you as a person.”

At nearly eight months post-surgery, Jones is now ready to begin cardiac therapy. The financial complications with workers’ compensation have been an ongoing nightmare. “I have ceased being upset and simply laugh about it,” Jones said.

Finally, after hiring a prominent attorney, he is receiving half of his paycheck. Workers’ compensation has agreed to cover the portion of his medical expenses related to cardiomyopathy. Even so, sorting it all out between the two conditions remains a complicated financial and legal struggle.

Still, Jones hopes to be back to work the big red truck by August. If that doesn’t happen, he will most likely teach at Indian River’s Fire Academy. He remains as passionate as ever about his career and his involvement at Trinity: “It’s a family. It’s home.”