ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – An Asheville household is discovering hope by religion, group and basketball after a tragic accident lands their oldest youngster within the hospital.
Lorenzo Lopez celebrated his sixteenth birthday tons of of miles away from house in a Kansas hospital room.
“You by no means know when life goes to take a flip like this,” Edward Lopez, Lorenzo’s dad, mentioned throughout a Zoom interview from his son’s hospital room.
Whereas on trip, Lorenzo fractured his fifth thoracic vertebrae throughout an ATV accident, injuring his spinal wire.
“Proper now he has no sensation of performance beneath his mid-belly,” Edward Lopez mentioned.
The Lopez household is leaning on their religion. Lorenzo’s 13-year-old sister even wrote some proverbs close to her brother’s mattress, together with Isaiah 40:31.
“However those that hope within the Lord will renew their power. They may soar on wings like eagles; they’ll run and never develop weary; they’ll stroll and never be faint,” Jamie Lopez, Lorenzo’s mom, learn.
Whereas within the hospital, as individuals pray for him, Lorenzo has been excited about others again house.
“So many occasions he has expressed concern for others whereas he’s been right here,” his dad mentioned.
Caring for family and friends is one thing that comes naturally for Lorenzo, who’s an athlete and basketball participant.
“He’s a workforce participant,” Mark Edmiston, Lorenzo’s former principal at Emmanuel Lutheran Faculty, mentioned.
“He’s the glue for each teammate. He’s the glue. With out him, I don’t know the way you win,” Lorenzo’s basketball coach and coach, Will Lewis, added.
Edmiston and Lewis mentioned the teenager who provides the whole lot to others is now the one receiving help.
“Now we have a variety of members which are wiling to leap in and assist [the family] with no matter wants they’ve,” Edmiston mentioned.
Regardless that Lorenzo is unable to be on the basketball court docket proper now, his favourite sport is continuous to assist him heal. Whereas within the hospital, Lorenzo spent his time watching the Olympics.
“It actually has been a blessing and a pleasant distraction for him,” his mother mentioned.
Lorenzo’s favourite athlete to cheer on is Steph Curry.
“The explanation why I believe Lorenzo loves Steph Curry is as a result of he’s not a LeBron James, the place you must be 6′7″ and 250 kilos. You will be 6′2″ and alter the world,” Lewis mentioned.
Lewis talked about Lorenzo didn’t play a lot when he first joined the aggressive basketball workforce, however he persevered with a lot of coaching and dedication. “He’s form of like Steph Curry in that sense. He stayed with it and caught with it.”
An Olympian and basketball champion who by no means provides up is now inspiring his greatest fan to push by his personal trials.
“We consider in Lorenzo’s power and his religion,” his dad mentioned. “And we consider in miracles.”
Lorenzo’s household tells FOX Carolina he’ll quickly journey to a specialised clinic in Denver to proceed his rehab.
If you need to assist the Lopez household, their household and pals have arrange a GoFundMe account to help with medical prices.
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