PHOTO COURTESY SANDY LINGENFELTER
Papa's favorite girl — Jazmin Steeprock snuggles up to her "Papa," grandfather Paul Spahn, in this photo taken in August. Jazmin continues to recover from critical injuries she received in an auto accident. The West Volusia community has been a big support, her friends and family report.
By Pat Hatfield
posted Sep 4, 2008 - 10:01:15am
A special performance of High School Musical is planned this weekend to help the family of Jazmin Steeprock, the 7-year-old DeLand girl critically injured in a car wreck in May.
Given a 5-percent chance of survival after the crash, Jazmin is making a miracle recovery, friends and family report.
Her fellow dancers at the Academy of Dance Arts in DeLand, along with Volusia Title Co., are sponsoring the benefit in her honor. It will be a special edition of Disney's High School Musical at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, in Stetson University's Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. The fun will begin at 5 p.m. with a karaoke contest and party.
Cast members are local Volusia County students. The suggested donation for admission is $10 per person, but any amount will be accepted. Registration at the door by 4:30 p.m. is also suggested.
All proceeds are designated for Jazmin's medical expenses.
She sustained critical injuries — a head injury, lacerated liver and punctured lung, among them — in the crash, which occurred near DeLand May 30. Emergency workers airlifted her to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, where she stayed in a medically induced coma for a time, then was transferred to a rehabilitative facility in Jacksonville.
Her dad, Shawn Steeprock, who received minor injuries in the accident, stayed right by Jazmin's side.
Jazmin underwent surgery to replace part of her skull bone July 22, and has been making a great recovery, family members said. She faces reconstructive surgery in January.
Jazmin's grandmother, Donna Spahn, said she, her husband, Paul, and Jazmin's dad, Shawn, want to thank the West Volusia community for being so supportive of Jazmin.
"The Beacon, AMVETS, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Network, Academy of Dance Arts, Mitchell Noel Insurance, United Contractor Inc., the whole DeLand community, the love that has surrounded her has just been awesome," Donna Spahn wrote in an e-mail to The Beacon.
Family friend Sandy Lingenfelter, of AMVETS Post 13 in DeLand, helped organize fundraising efforts at the post for Jazmin's expenses. Lingenfelter said Jazmin's recovery has been "miraculous."
A motorcycle ride in July raised $6,100.21. AMVETS Post 13 and American Legion Post 6, two of the DeLand stops, reported great turnouts and good fun at the fundraiser.
Mainstreet Community Bank in DeLand continues to accept financial donations for Jazmin. Donations can be made to the Jazmin Steeprock Fund at either Mainstreet Community Bank location.
The community has come together to help Jazmin, a student at George Marks Elementary School in DeLand. Efforts have included a blood drive, bake sales and yard sales.
Jazmin was a member of the Academy of Dance Arts. Her appearance in a dance recital was put to rest by the accident, which happened the day before Jazmin's rehearsal.
Grandmother Donna said Jazmin loves all the cards and letters she's received. Send correspondence to Jazmin in care of 5770 Clark St., DeLeon Springs, FL 32130. For more information about Saturday's performance, call (386) 785-0004.
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