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Teen’s Spinal Cord Severed After Pool Dive to Escape Wasp ‘He Thought He Was Going to Drown’

SJ is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and continues to make slow but steady progress on his journey to recovery.
Photo Credit Camper Family

A Texas teenager’s life took a tragic turn when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury after diving into a pool to escape a wasp, according to his family, told People.

On June 20, 13-year-old SJ Williams was at a community pool with a friend when he tried to evade a wasp by diving or flipping head-first into the shallow end. The impact severed his spinal cord and fractured several bones, as detailed in a Go FundMe page set up for his medical expenses.

“He said all he remembers after the jump is floating face down in the pool, thinking that his arm was floating next to him (because he couldn’t feel it),” his family shared on the GoFundMe page titled, “Support SJ’s Journey to Recovery.” “He said he thought he was going to drown because he couldn’t move, so he was just swallowing water. His friends said they thought he was just floating and playing at first.”

Thankfully, one of SJ’s friends noticed something was wrong and acted quickly, saving his life.

“SJ was rushed to the hospital and we received absolutely devastating news. His spinal cord had been severed so badly that he will not have use of his legs and arms,” the GoFundMe description states. “SJ has been admitted to PICU. The fractured bones were repaired. However, the spinal cord is the main stem of the body, and we’re being told it’s not repairable.”

The accident occurred at a community pool in Old Orchard Park in Frisco, near SJ’s home in Little Elm, as reported by NBC 5.

Despite the grim prognosis, SJ’s family continues to hope for his recovery. Eight days into his hospitalization, he was able to eat and drink normally again, marking a small but significant step forward.

“Life happens quick. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Never take anything or anyone for granted. You NEVER think it’ll happen to you, until it happens to you,” SJ’s mother, Anya, wrote in a Facebook post after the accident. She added that she refuses “to believe this is SJ’s story.”

“He’s ONLY 13! He has WAY too much more life to actually LIVE & FULLY ENJOY,” she wrote. “SJ has so much support and so many prayers being said and spoken everywhere.”

As SJ embarks on his challenging journey to recovery, his family and community are rallying behind him, providing unwavering support and hope for the future.

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