Paralyzed Tyngsboro Teen Headed To Atlanta For Therapy
TYNGSBORO (CBS) - You can tell from high flying jumps on YouTube, 17-year-old Jack Trottier knows how to snowboard.
"He's gone off 50-foot jumps. Something like this you never thought would happen. It's just an accident," his dad Bill Trottier said. He says last week his son was snowboarding with some friends at a neighbor's house in Tyngsboro, when he went of a two-foot jump and landed the wrong way.
"He went off one of the jumps and lost his balance and came down on the side of his neck and shoulder," Bill said.
Even though Jack was wearing his helmet, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from the chest down. "He can't move his legs or his arms," Bill said.
Jack is now on his way to undergo intense therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. It's the same place where Norwood hockey player Matt Brown received treatment for his injury.
Jack not only loved snowboarding, but he also was a star athlete at Tyngsboro High School. He was the starting quarterback as junior and led his team to a 10-2 record last season. "He is our leader. He was the guy who had the big touchdown pass in overtime to win the last minute," head football coach Jim Tansey said.
The family says it will be a long road to recovery and are leaning on the community for support. A "Get Jack Better" fund has been set up to help the family pay for medical expenses.
"Right now we are wondering if he will walk again. I have confidence in Jack and he has confidence in himself," Bill Trottier said.
