A teenage boy paralyzed during high school swim practice has made it back to his Overland Park home. After three months in a Denver hospital, 15-year-old Nigel Charlson got off the airplane at KCI Airport to cheers.
“It’s great to see familiar faces and smiles. We are so happy to be home,” said Nigel’s mother Jessica Broocke.
The teen hit his head at the bottom of the pool at Blue Valley High School in December.
“It was very sad news. He was so excited to be on the swim team and then this happened,” said family friend Barbra Rafael.
Nigel has limited movement in his upper body, with no movement in his lower body.
“Just learning how to do everything all over again, learning how to take care of basic needs that most people take for granted,” said Broocke.
Friends waiting for Nigel Charlson to come home @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/uRN6vMNpeB
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) March 26, 2016
The road to recovery will continue.
Later this week, the family will make a trip to Louisville to continue physical therapy, but not before a few days at home with loved ones.
“I thought there was going to be a few people, but I didn’t realize this many would show up,” said Nigel.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help Nigel. His mother says they will have to move to an apartment that is wheelchair accessible, along with other expenses.
He made it! @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/1yXJpL8GF4
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) March 26, 2016
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com.
