Texas boy, 13, paralyzed in freak accident at community pool after chased by wasp and begged for mom

A 13-year-old boy was paralyzed after he dived into a pool - to escape a wasp coming towards him.

The North Texan teenager, Semyon Williams Jr., known as SJ, visited a friend's community pool on June 20, and dove headfirst into the shallow end while trying to avoid a wasp. He said he was floating face-down, unable to move - and thought he might drown as he swallowed water.

His friends initially thought he was having a bit of fun. However, one finally realized something was wrong and pulled him out of the water and rushed him to hospital.

Read more: Boy, 4, shoots himself in head and is left paralyzed after parents left gun lying under bed at home

Williams' distraught mother, Anya Camper, recounted how her son's friend initially believed he was joking. When he realized the seriousness of the situation, he turned Williams over and asked, "Are you playing?"

At that moment, her son replied in a panic, "I can't feel anything. Help me! I can't feel my arms, my legs. Help me, call my mom."

It was their his family were told that SJ's spinal cord had been so severely damaged that he would lose the use of his legs and arms. Though surgeons repaired his fractured bones, they informed the family that the spinal cord damage was irreparable

SJ is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and continues to make slow but steady progress on his journey to recovery. Recently, reports said he passed a swallow study - which allowed him to begin eating regular food and drinking normally.

Despite the prognosis, his family remains hopeful and relies on their faith, believing in the possibility of a miracle for SJ. One family member said: "We refuse to believe that this is Sj's story. He’s only 13. He has way too much more life to actually live and fully enjoy. We are trusting and believing that God will perform a miracle and heal my brother."

The community is supporting SJ and his family, raising $47,889 of a $100,000 goal through a GoFundMe campaign to support his recovery and medical expenses.

It comes as a teenage boy has been left paralyzed after he was shot in his arm and stomach in a harrowing incident . 12-year-old Ja'Quavious Davis was out with his older brother who was trying to sell water when he fell victim to gunfire under unclear circumstances. The tragic incident happened in Atlanta on the evening of Friday, May 17.

Police discovered him wounded on the pavement, suffering from gunshots to his arm and stomach. His older brother made an urgent call to their mother immediately after the shots rang out. Now hospitalized, despite the agony, the boy shows strength as he battles his injuries.

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