Justin Porter’s Journey of Strength and Support | My Member Story
Meet Justin Porter, a cowboy who survived a devastating accident that doctors said could leave him unable to walk. His story showcases the power of genuine relationships, unexpected support and unwavering determination—proving that sometimes the strongest connections come from unlikely places during life's toughest moments.
Justin Porter is a lucky man. Not only did he survive a horrific accident, but he also gets to live out every kid's dream of being a cowboy—except he does it for real. He’s spent years riding bulls and competing in team roping events, embracing the life that comes with the rodeo arena.
Beyond the rodeo grounds, Justin has been a longtime member of Mountain America Credit Union, building a financial relationship that would prove invaluable during one of the most challenging chapters of his life.
Building a financial foundation
When Justin was 12 years old, his mother decided to open his first bank account. Since she was already banking with Mountain America, that’s where she set him up too. More than two decades later, Justin is still a loyal member—some relationships really do stand the test of time!
What has kept him here? A lot of that has to do with Lila Bown, a financial service representative at Mountain America. Justin went into a branch one day looking to refinance his auto loan, and Lila was the one who worked with him. Over the years, she has helped Justin with more than a few loans for everything from trucks—of which he’s had about a dozen over the years—to horse trailers and toy haulers. Whenever he needs a new loan or has questions about his finances, he calls Lila.
A life-changing moment
One morning in late 2016, during his drive to work, Justin hit a patch of black ice. The accident was devastating—he was ejected from his truck and suffered severe injuries. He recalls waking up in the hospital nearly a month later and shares a specific memory that he now laughs about.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was not his dad, who was sitting vigil by his bedside, but a whiteboard on the wall with that day’s date. His first thought was that he had been asleep long enough to miss the National Finals Rodeo.
He was eventually told that his recovery would be a difficult one and that he may never walk again. But Justin wasn’t willing to accept that. With lots of determination, he defied the odds. When the day came for his release from the hospital, Justin walked out on his own two feet.
How trust and friendship can connect us
During Justin’s recovery, support came from an unexpected but familiar place. After seeing a post about his accident on Facebook, Lila posted a comment stating that, as Justin’s financial contact, she had information that undoubtedly would be useful. That simple gesture led her to connect with Justin’s mother, who was still named on his account at the time.
Justin’s mom contacted Lila, who shared that Justin had purchased loan relief plans for his truck and side-by-side loans. This meant that the payments for these loans would be covered for up to 12 months while Justin was recovering. It was a moment that showed the power of genuine relationships, not just between a credit union and its members, but between people who care.
Justin’s story is one of resilience and the kind of support that goes beyond banking. At Mountain America, we’re proud to stand beside members like Justin, through every trial that may come their way.
