Ten years after a visit to the chiropractor changed his life forever, Jonathan Buckelew’s father has spoken about his son’s daily reality living with locked-in syndrome. In 2015, Jonathan, then 24, became dizzy and unresponsive during an appointment and was rushed to North Fulton Hospital in Georgia. Doctors failed to recognize he was having a stroke, leaving him untreated for over 12 hours — a delay that caused permanent paralysis.

Now 34, Jonathan is fully conscious but unable to move or speak, relying on eye movements to communicate. His father, Jack, helps care for him around the clock with the support of nurses. “There are days when he says, ‘pull the plug,’” Jack shared, describing the heartbreak of watching his son trapped in his own body but still mentally aware.

Their home has been transformed to accommodate Jonathan’s needs, complete with a physical therapy room and a fish tank — his favorite spot to find peace. Despite a $75 million malpractice verdict, one of the largest in U.S. history, Jack says no amount of money can restore what Jonathan lost. “It’s way past anger now,” he said. “We just focus on giving him the best life possible.”

The family’s lawyer explained that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Had hospital staff recognized the stroke and followed protocol, Jonathan’s life could have been saved from devastating paralysis. Today, his story stands as a painful reminder of the cost of medical negligence — and a testament to a family’s enduring love and strength in the face of unimaginable loss.