My name is Jennifer Huntsman and I have spent the past few years traveling to Caye Caulker Belize. Our young basketball team got into a horrible accident on the way to a game. There are very serious injuries. There is no health insurance and most families have very little to no money. All the treatment and scans cost so much and they have to be transported to other countries as Belize doesn’t have the medical facilities to handle such devastating injuries. These are sweet, innocent high school boys. Their teacher and coach are injured too. Here is more information from Belize news. I know most of these boys, especially Alex, and he is in very critical condition.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT
Our newsroom has learned that there was a road traffic minutes ago near mile 39 on the Philip Goldson Highway.
We also understand that involved is the Ocean Academy High School Basketball team and coach.
They were traveling in a van when it flipped. The passengers have since been transported for medical attention.
1. One student was treated for abrasions, swelling and infection, and released Sunday.
2. One student received a CT scan, X rays, was treated for a broken shoulder and nose, and is scheduled to be released soon.
3. One teacher received a CT scan and X rays and was diagnosed with a post-concussion Monday.
4. One student will receive a follow-up X-ray and CT scan today.
5. Group and individual counseling took place on campus Monday and will continue.
6. Counselors supported families Sunday, Monday and will continue.
7. A Head Spinal Surgeon from Guatemala is reviewing existing studies (CT scans, MRIs, X rays, lab results) to provide recommendations and is making requests for additional tests as needed.
8. One student is in a back brace waiting for cuts to heal before transporting for additional spinal x-rays.
We join the families in asking for your special prayers and support for three critical cases [the families are sharing these names and specifics]:
1. Alexander is intubated in a coma in ICU with head trauma. Please pray for Alex to continue to stabilize. Alexander is in extremely critical condition. His family asks everyone to pray, pray, pray.
2. Gilbert is intubated in an induced coma in ICU. He received a CT scan yesterday. Please pray for him to continue to stabilize. Once stabilized, doctors plan to reverse his medically-induced coma and begin treatment on his spinal injury and broken femur. He will need to be transported out of Belize for spinal surgery. We are in communication with pediatric surgery organizations to investigate pediatric spinal surgery options.
3. Zane (teacher)’s spine is damaged causing paralysis. The damage includes the area that affects his ability to breathe. He needs surgery to repair his spine to save his life. That surgery is not available in Belize. We need to transport him to Guatemala to get the surgery while he is still able to breathe. The best price we have found to transport him is $10,000 USD. The surgeon cannot provide an accurate estimate of the cost of the surgery until he assesses him, but expects it will be more than $50,000 USD.