When you see the crushed truck that rolled over, it’s hard to believe a Texas teenager survived behind the wheel.
When you see the crushed truck that rolled over, it’s hard to believe a Texas teenager survived behind the wheel.
Miraculously, he did.
But at just 17 years old, Junior is now facing the possibility that his life will never be the same.
His family says Junior was ejected from the truck during a devastating crash in East Texas on August 11th.
He survived.
But when his family reached the hospital, they learned just how catastrophic his injuries were.
Junior’s spine was broken in three places.
He also suffered a broken femur and other serious injuries.
And doctors have now told his family he is paralyzed from the waist down.
Junior had to be life-flighted not once, but twice — first to Conroe and then to Memorial Hermann in Houston, where he underwent major surgery.
Think about how quickly everything changed.
There’s Junior in the other photo, standing on a football field in his Groveton uniform.
A 17-year-old who loves football and basketball, playing video games and spending time with his friends and siblings.
Then one crash.
One rollover.
And now his family is trying to comprehend what life could look like for their son moving forward.
Rehabilitation.
Mobility equipment.
Potential changes to make everyday places accessible.
And learning how to do things differently that Junior never imagined having to think about at 17.
There are still many unknowns, and his family is taking this one day at a time.
His family is asking us to share words of encouragement and to pray.
Pray for Junior’s body to heal.
Pray for strength as he begins processing everything that has happened.
Pray for his parents and siblings as they learn how to walk this road beside him.
And pray that this 17-year-old never forgets something that photo of his mangled truck already proves:
He is still here.
