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Left Hand Laurel – Jim Eastman

Series: Left Hand Laurel | Story 24

To paraphrase an old adage, "Man plans, the universe laughs." In Jim Eastman's life, at least two major events sent him off the expected path. Thankfully, the world is a better place, and Eastman would likely concur, that he's better as a result.

A rollover car accident in 1990 caused Eastman to sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which led to profound changes cognitively and, over time, physically as a result of stress. A decade later, he experienced another turning point - the discovery that his kidney functioning was deteriorating precipitously, because of an undiagnosed autoimmune disease.

Seeking out and receiving essential support helped Eastman get to the other side of these mammoth situations. Then gratitude, wisdom, and kindness propelled him to turn around and help others going through similar harrowing experiences. That's why Eastman is this month's Left Hand Laurel recipient.

Eastman has for nearly three decades been the leader of the Longmont Brain Injury Support Group which early on helped him navigate his own TBI challenges. Discovering his new limitations and strengths led to a career adjustment from being a corporate executive to starting his own heating and air conditioning business. With that shift came peace of mind and improved health.

It's really about paying back the hope and support that this group gave me," Eastman said. Eastman said helping survivors and their caregivers go from fear and confusion to acceptance followed by cognitive and emotional improvement brings him incredible gratification.

Eastman's kidneys were failing; he was on dialysis and he needed a transplant. Realizing once again that he had something to give, he joined the National Kidney Foundation Peers Program which matches those undergoing dialysis with others who are starting that complicated process. He continues to be active with that program.

Four years ago, a sign on the back of his car reading "Husband needs kidney" led to Scott La Point donating one of his kidneys to Eastman. The two had met through a brain injury support group because La Point is also a TBI survivor.

Following his transplant, Eastman became a mentor for the American Transplant Foundation. He offers support to other patients going through kidney failure, trying to locate a donor, and those who have gone through a transplant. He's successfully assisted a half dozen people to find a transplant donor as he had with La Point.

These days, the healthy, sporty pair participates in the annual Transplant Games of America and have won and/or placed in many events. They bicycle together to raise money for The American Transplant Foundation at the 100 kilometer Elephant Rock ride – this year raising $7,000. The two men also staff booths at various events to educate and raise awareness for organ donations through The Donor Alliance.

The importance of organ transplants was already on Eastman's radar when, prior to his kidney failure, his brother passed away, and the family took great comfort in donating his organs. As a result of his knowledge and experience, Eastman is now on The Donor Alliance's speaker's bureau where he talks with hospital staff and civic groups to emphasize the importance of organ donation.

For the past 13 years, on his own home turf, Eastman has been a member of the Local Improvement District advisory committee (LIDAC). Each member of the LIDAC works on a volunteer basis and is either a Niwot resident, business owner, or a representative of one of the civic entities of the community, such as the Niwot Business Association and Niwot Community Association

In the wash of the economic downturn in 2008, Eastman was appointed to the original LIDAC just as he and others on the committee were looking at vacant storefronts and an intensely sluggish business environment. The actions of the committee helped immensely to revitalize the commercial areas of Niwot.

The committee reports to the county commissioners who are obligated to ensure that collected taxes are spent responsibly for the benefit of the Niwot business district. Eastman served as vice-chairman on the committee for many of those years, stepping up when the chairman was not available.

"Jim was an important voice of the community on the LID Advisory Committee from the outset," Biff Warren, fellow LIDAC member said. "We're both from Nebraska, and Jim brought a Midwestern common sense approach to the work of the LID, and asked important questions. He is an avid bicyclist and brought that perspective to discussions of trails and traffic issues, especially as they affected safety issues downtown. He always reminded us that the LID is a 'funder,' not a 'doer,' which helped us define the role of the LID when projects were proposed, and that while we could offer suggestions, we learned to defer to the judgment of the 'doers"' in most situations, rather than try to micromanage a project. Jim cares deeply about the community and that always came through in his comments."

One of Eastman's strengths on the LIDAC has been his ability to be logical and succinct when considering proposals for ways in which the LID could best disperse funds. While Eastman was on the LIDAC, the commissioners approved virtually every funding recommendation of the committee. Eastman credits the advisory board's ability to screen and steward the funds for this outcome.

Projects the LID has funded from the 1% retail sales tax collected within Niwot are extensive – the gateway sign on Highway 119, a parking lot on Murray Street, the sculptures on Niwot Road, banners and flowers decorating business areas, new trees and many events, including Rock & Rails, Enchanted Evening, and holiday parades.

Because of term limits, Eastman stepped down from the committee this year.

"It was a rewarding experience to understand the needs in the community and the community's needs for funds to have a vibrant and responsive community,'' Eastman said.

Eastman, 72, enjoys traveling, bird watching and cycling with his wife Ruthie. He's a voracious reader of mysteries and occasionally writes politicians to have an impact on legislation. For five years, he taught adaptive skiing to the disabled at Winter Park and Eldora Ski areas. You've also likely seen Eastman helping out with security at past Jazz on Second Avenue events or volunteering at Niwot Community Association annual clean up days.

"I take a lot of pride when people from outside the community say, "Oh, it's such a fun little town and active. There are so many interesting shops and music and good dining. We love your little town," Eastman said. "I just pop my buttons then and think yeah, we've done a good job here."

If you'd like to suggest a Left Hand Laurel recipient who lives in either Gunbarrel or Niwot, email [email protected].

 

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