An Oregon youngster was paralyzed in a pool accident, and his family is seeking help, according to a GoFundMe page.
Nathan Avery of Oregon was swimming one night on June 17 when he plunged into a pool and hit the bottom, breaking his neck and shattering his C5 vertebrae, placing pressure on his spinal cord and paralyzing him from the nipples down.
He was brought to Jevon Bea Hospital in Rockford by ambulance and then airlifted to UW Madison in Wisconsin, according to the GoFundMe page set up by his sister, Mackenzie.
“He underwent a six-hour surgery where they removed the shattered vertebrae and stabilized his neck to take the pressure off of his spinal cord,” Mackenzie Avery, his doctor, said. “He was on a breathing tube with 100% oxygen owing to aspiration.
Around 4:30 a.m., they were able to reduce the oxygen to 60%. The physicians came in and did mobility exercises, but he couldn’t squeeze his hands, flex his fingers, or move any part of his body from his nipples down.
Nathan will remain in the hospital until he is able to transfer to an acute rehabilitation facility for intensive physical treatment. The family hopes he may regain some mobility, at least in his arms. He now has a lengthy road to recovery in intense rehabilitation. The GoFundMe page was created to help with medical expenses, rehabilitation, and support during his life-changing journey.
As of June 20, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $2,735 from 31 contributors. The family has set a $4,000 target.
Reference: Oregon teen paralyzed in pool accident; family seeks support