Maintenance Man Jason Vehrs Wields a Masters Lacrosse Stick
By Michael Clarkson
“I’m just a regular guy,” says Jason Vehrs. “I’ve never had a story about me.” But like many of our staff, Jason has an inspiring tale.
Working in FEIA’s maintenance department, he has a cool history as a lacrosse player, and rebounding from a “life changing” illness.
Strangely, while “in the best shape of my life,’ Jason collapsed in his girlfriend Amanda’s apartment in January of 2025.
“I felt nauseous and woke up three hours later in the Niagara Falls hospital,” he recalled. “I couldn’t move, my speech was labored, I had terrible migraines and there was little sensation in my limbs.”
That was shocking for a strapping man who was active in hockey and lacrosse.
After three weeks in hospital, and lots of MRIs, CT scans and spinal taps, medics remained puzzled. “A doctor said it was like a neurological brainstorm. They didn’t know what set it off. I thought I’d never walk again.”
Slowly but surely, Vehrs recovered, following 10 months using a walker.
His diet may have been an issue, and subsequently he has cut out salt and processed sugar.
Besides joining the FEIA staff, Jason now plays for Niagara-on-the-Lake in the Ontario Masters Lacrosse Association, as a face-off specialist and defender, and in the Niagara South No Hit Hockey League in Chippawa.
Turning 50 next month, he loves the camaraderie of lacrosse players, who came to his aide during his illness. Jason took up the game at age 12 in Virgil. The Masters have a tournament July 3-5 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
He joined the FEIA maintenance crew this past February. Previously, he owned his own construction business and helped to build elementary and high schools in Durham. He feels at home in friendly FEIA, although “it took me a while to get used to the kids calling me sir.”
It’s not our only lacrosse connection on campus -- Alex Simmons, son of our Vice Principal Bill Simmons, is a star professionally for Oshawa of the National Lacrosse League and was its rookie of the year in 2024.
