In 1993, Jhoda was the victim of random gunshot violence while working as a cab driver in New York City. At 2:00 A.M. an unidentified assailant fired a revolver into the cab window, with the bullet impacting Jhoda's left shoulder and tearing through his torso while simultaneously severing his spinal cord. Despite several weeks in intensive care units and months of dedicated work in rehabilitation hospitals, Jhoda accepted that he would never walk again and would experience limited use of his hands and arms. Not long after, Jhoda became compelled to employ his challenging experience in the service of others.
Throughout his recovery, Jhoda committed himself to a life of service to men, women and children with disabilities. After arriving in Tampa in 2003 to be near his family, Jhoda found Self Reliance, Inc. and is now the volunteer leader of a durable equipment loan program, wheelchair repair program, and co-leader of a peer mentoring group for people with disabilities in Tampa. Users who no longer need wheelchairs have donated them to Jhoda who subsequently tuned them up and put them into service. Jhoda also works in close collaboration with the Paralyzed Veterans Association, the Spinal Cord Injury Center and Self Reliance to solicit, acquire and deliver important equipment. Jhoda's selfless efforts have made it possible for hundreds of men, women and children in the Tampa community to receive critical durable medical equipment at no cost.
Jhoda becomes the 243rd Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through this evening's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $12.3 million to more than 300 different non-profits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Last summer, the Vinik's announced that the community hero program will give away another $10-million over the next five seasons.
