Community Comes Together For Fundraiser To Support Hayden Ginnetti Who Was Injured While Swimming On Nantucket
MARLBORO (CBS) -- The city of Marlboro is rallying behind a UMass Amherst student who was injured in the waters off Nantucket.
Hayden Ginnetti is a 21-year-old Marlboro native. Back in August, the 21-year-old UMass Amherst student went away to Nantucket for the weekend with friends when he broke his neck while jumping into the water. After two surgeries at Massachusetts General Hospital and two months in Spaulding Rehab, he returned home this week.
"I've started to get some contractions in my core and my obliques, which I didn't initially, which is obviously a good sign," Ginnetti said.
Since the injury, his family, friends and the Marlboro community have rallied to support his recovery. A crowdfunding page was set up and it has raised more than $95,000. The family says it's money very much needed.
"We had to widen a bunch of hallways and doorways and; obviously a ramp and we had to put in a chair lift," said his mother, Amie Girard
On Saturday, a fundraiser was held for Hayden at The School Yard in West Boylston.
"Its been extremely helpful having my family, my friends and the community all rally behind me. It has given me motivation to keep going," Ginnetti said.
While Ginnetti has shown great signs of progress he still a long road ahead of him. He plans return UMass Amherst next spring and graduate with his classmates.
"It's shown me I can do a lot more I initially thought," Ginnetti said.
"The amount of support we've had. The people who've reached out. The people who've donated. It's just overwhelming," said Girard.
