A Texas teenager severed his spinal cord after diving into a swimming pool to escape a hornet, his family said.
On June 20, SJ Williams, 13, was with a friend at a community pool “running from hornets” when he dived headfirst into the shallow end of the pool or flipped over, severed his spinal cord and broke several other bones, according to a GoFundMe post for his medical expenses.
“He said all he remembers after diving is being face down in the pool and thinking his arms were floating next to him (because he had no feeling),” his family wrote in a description of a GoFundMe page called “Help SJ’s Path to Recovery.” “He said he couldn’t move and thought he was drowning so he was just taking in water. Friends said at first they thought he was just floating around playing.”
His family said that if it hadn’t been for one of his friends who realized SJ wasn’t just messing around, he might not be alive today.
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13-year-old SJ Williams is fighting to recover after severed his spinal cord in an accident at his local pool. (GoFundMe)
“SJ was rushed to the hospital where we were given the very devastating news: his spinal cord is severely damaged and he cannot use his limbs,” the GoFundMe description reads. “SJ has been admitted to the PICU. The broken bones have been repaired, however, they have said his spinal cord is the trunk of his body and cannot be repaired.”
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SJ Williams’ GoFundMe account states that if it weren’t for the 13-year-old’s friends, he might not be alive today. (Facebook)
The accident happened at a community pool in Frisco’s Old Orchard Park, near SJ’s home. NBC5 reported.
According to his family, on the eighth day of his recovery, he is eating and drinking normally again, and they remain hopeful for SJ’s full recovery.
On the eighth day of his recovery, SJ Williams was able to eat and drink normally again, according to his family. (Facebook)
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“Life goes by so quickly. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – never take anything or anyone for granted. Never think it will happen to you until it happens to you,” SJ’s mother, Anya, wrote on Facebook after the accident, later adding, “I refuse to believe this is SJ’s story.”
“He’s only 13! He has so much time ahead of him to enjoy and live life to the fullest,” she wrote. “SJ has so much support and prayers everywhere.”
