After stays in the hospital and rehab, she's home in Brookhaven watching from her door as volunteers, some fellow troopers, others complete strangers, build a handicap access ramp in front of her house.
"As a trooper you're always there doing something for somebody else. Now, all of a sudden, you have to sit back and let people do something for you. At least for my personality, that's weird," Altomari said.
"She has this tendency to always attack things when she sees an obstacle; she not only meets it, but she overcomes it. So this is one of those times when she needs a little help and this is what we're here for," Cpl. Tim Keaveney said.
The time and materials were all donated. The contractors were recruited by friends of Jean's.
"You do good things for people, just help each other out and it works out well," Kevin Lane of L&S Contractors said.
While on duty last August, Jean delivered a baby on I-95 when the mother couldn't make it to the hospital in time and unwrapped the umbilical cord from around the infant's neck.
The 30-year-old trooper worked for almost 4 years at the state police barracks in Media before her accident and loved her job. She's hoping to eventually return to work in a different capacity.
Jean Altomari has always been very active and a definite go-getter. So you could understand if her paralysis would ruin her outlook on life. It doesn't.
"I've had some days that were so good that you kind of could forget you're in the chair. So if you don't become a victim. I guess anything's possible," Altomari said.
A beef and Beer fundraiser is planned for April 24th at the Middletown Fire Department. Proceeds from that event will help defray the costs of making Trooper Altomari's house handicap accessible.
