Georgia teen injured in football game shows signs of recovery as family and community rally

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A 13-year-old boy in Georgia is slowly recovering after a devastating spinal cord injury during a middle school football game.

Georgia 13-year-old suffers spinal cord injury

Kelvin “Bug” Howard, an eighth grader at Appling Middle School in Macon, was injured on Saturday, Oct. 4, when he collided with another player and collapsed on the field.

“My heart dropped,” his mother, Doris Howard, told WGXA-TV. “The coach said he hit the boy so hard that when Bug stood up, he fell back down and everybody ran onto the field.”

Doris, a mother of 12, was working two hours away when she got the call no parent ever wants to receive. She rushed to Macon, then turned around to meet her son in Atlanta, where he was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Kelvin suffered a fractured spine, hip injury, and concussion. He has remained in the ICU since the accident. Doctors initially feared he might never walk again.

In a GoFundMe update, Doris shared how the injury has reshaped their lives. “I’ve had to step away from work to care for Kelvin full-time and support our other 10 children,” she wrote. “With a household of 13, every day brings challenges, but also countless blessings.”

Kelvin Howard’s Road to Recovery

Despite the prognosis, Kelvin is making progress. He recently regained feeling in his legs and can move them. He also uses the restroom independently, though he still cannot sit up or move his arms.

“Every day I see him, I see that fight in him,” Doris said. “He always says, ‘I’m going to get up, I’m going to walk, I’m going to do this. We’re not going to be here long, Mom.’ And I believe that. I believe every word he says.”

Kelvin’s resilience has inspired his family and community. Teachers, coaches, and neighbors have rallied around the Howards, offering meals, gas money, and emotional support.

“He tells me, ‘Mama, stop that crying. We grow, we don’t cry,’” Doris said. “He’s keeping me strong.”

GoFundMe campaign created for support

The family’s GoFundMe campaign has nearly reached its $30,000 goal to help cover treatment and household expenses. Donations continue to pour in from across the country.

Kelvin’s story is one of determination, faith, and the power of community. As he continues to heal, his message remains clear: “We grow. We don’t cry.”

To learn more or donate, visit the GoFundMe campaign here.