Help My Son Recover After a Life-Changing Accident
On January 17th, our lives changed in an instant.
Hello, my name is Shawna, and I’m reaching out as a mother who is trying to help her son rebuild his life after a devastating accident.
My 19-year-old son, Cole, is on the autism spectrum and also lives with ADHD and executive functioning challenges. Despite those obstacles, he has always been full of hope, humor, and determination. He was so excited about what was ahead, we were just weeks away from moving cross-country so he could start college, learn to drive, and begin building the life he’s always dreamed of.
On January 17th, 2026, everything changed in an instant.
Just days after a small going-away gathering with friends, Cole was riding in the back seat as they drove along a rural road late at night. When the driver came around a corner, there was a large rock in the road. He tried to avoid it, but the car struck it at high speed, sending the vehicle into a ditch where it flipped and rolled through a farmer’s fence and field.
Somehow, the car landed upright. Thankfully the two boys in the front walked away with minor injuries.
But Cole…was not as lucky.
Even though he was wearing his seatbelt, the entire impact hit his left side. His left arm was shattered into multiple pieces, causing severe nerve damage. His left femur was broken into three pieces. He also struck his head against the window.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he spent a long night in unbearable pain before undergoing nearly eight hours of emergency surgery the next morning. Surgeons worked tirelessly to reconstruct his arm and leg. Today, Cole lives with metal rods and screws permanently placed in both his arm and leg.
When he woke up, he couldn’t move his left hand, only slight finger twitches. Doctors still don’t know if he will regain full use of it.
He spent nearly a week in the hospital, including receiving a blood transfusion, learning how to function without putting weight on his leg, and adjusting to life in a wheelchair for the next few months. What he endured physically was overwhelming, but the emotional toll has been just as heavy.
Shortly after being discharged, we faced another challenge. We had only days to leave our home, and with everything already packed and his bedroom upstairs, Cole had to go stay with his grandparents nearly two hours away. His first car ride after the accident was filled with panic attacks and fear.
When I was finally able to spend a few days with him, I watched my son struggle through nightmares, anxiety, and sleepless nights. As a mother, there is nothing more painful than not being able to take that fear and pain away.
Leaving him again to prepare our new home for his needs was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Today, we are finally back together. Cole is working hard in physical therapy, fighting every day to regain strength and function, and slowly trying to feel safe again. His recovery is still uncertain, but we are holding onto hope with everything we have.
Through it all, Cole’s spirit still shines. In the middle of everything, he even joked, “Well…at least I don’t have to unpack.” That’s who he is, resilient, funny, and full of light.
He has always loved sports more than anything. He can talk for hours about any sport, especially his favorite teams: The Patriots, Manchester United, The Oregon Ducks, The Blazers, The Cubs, Inter Miami, and anything WWE. His dream is to one day become a sports commentator or write storylines for WWE.
This move was supposed to be the beginning of that journey.
Instead, we are focusing on healing, physical therapy, counseling for trauma and anxiety, and helping him slowly reconnect with the world around him.
While insurance has helped, it only goes so far. Cole will need ongoing care, physical and occupational therapy, neurological support, and possibly future surgeries due to the permanent hardware in his body. The reality is that these costs will continue long after insurance stops.
Before this accident, Cole was already overcoming challenges, but he was doing it with courage and optimism. He still has dreams, and he still deserves the chance to pursue them.
I’m asking for help to give him that chance.
Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing his story, means more than I can ever express. Your kindness will help my son continue healing, rebuilding, and moving forward with hope.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time.
With gratitude,
Shawna
Cole’s mom ❤️