Milton Academy teen paralyzed with spinal cord injury during hockey game – Boston 25 News

MILTON, Mass .– Mike Thibeault said it was the worst time of his life to see his son Jake fall on the ice during a hockey game on Saturday.

“It’s only been a few nights, but it’s hard to close your eyes and not see this image of him like that,” Thibeault said. “He immediately grabbed it, went into a five-minute, non-verbal seizure, it was horrible. It was by far the most difficult part of my life.

Thibeault said his son’s helmet cracked as he crashed into the boards. The 18-year-old Milton Academy student is now recovering at UMass Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

“Small victories, brushing teeth, drinking glasses. He’s verbal, he’s engaging, he told doctors, who said he’s unlikely to ever walk again, he feels different; he says he is ready to fight, ”said Thibeault.

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Drew Thibeault said his brother is not just a hockey player, he’s an amazing person who is now open to a new chapter as he recovers.

“So whether it’s trying to train for triathlon or doing something out of the ordinary just to keep it going, that’s kind of my role,” said Drew. Thibeault.

Jake’s family have said they are not giving up on hopes that he will make a full recovery, and they are grateful for all the support, especially from his school. His father said the director of Milton Academy had previously visited Jake in the hospital.

“When he asked Jake how he was doing, Jake said it was just a bump in the road, which is a testament to his character,” said Mike Thibeault.

Family friends settle in this GoFundMe for Jake to help with the medical bills.