A month removed from horrific car accident, local youth on the path to recovery

“He’s here with us. That’s all that matters. And he’s got no brain damage. You know, the situation could have been a lot worse, thank God that it wasn’t,” added Jaime Schwing, Jaxson’s mother.

According to a Gofundme written by Amanda Keller, a close family friend who Jaime and Jaxson both say has been incredibly supportive during this difficult time, Jaxson was sent “nearly 100 feet across the pavement,” and faced a multitude of serious injuries, including but not limited to:

Multiple broken bones
Severe femur fracture
Small brain bleed
Liver laceration
Partially collapsed lung

“My leg hurts and my collarbone, and it’s a little bit hard to get into the shower. Wheelchairs are a bit hard too,” Jaxson said when describing his current status.

While the injuries are many, Jaxson is in high spirits as he recovers, and a big reason for that is he was able to return to Prince George. The first couple of weeks following the accident was spent at the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, but he’s recently been able to enjoy the comfort of his own home again.

“It’s a lot better. I can sleep better because when I was in Vancouver, I was waking up confused and stuff and having night terrors. So I sleep a lot better here,” he said.

Jaxson remains largely confined to his bed as he recovers, as Jaime explains he can only stay in his wheelchair for around 20 minutes before needing to laydown again. Doctors estimate it will be around two months until he is able to move without the wheelchair, and Jaime added the road to recovery remains a long one, as there are six hospital trips planned.

“We believe June 10 is our first one. That, I think, is where they’ll be monitoring the small brain bleed on the inside and outside of his brain. They’ll be checking his partially collapsed lung, and they’ll also be checking the tear in his liver. His cuts and bruises are gone, but now it’s the internal stuff. And, of course, his femur. That is going to be the longest recovery he’s got; one more surgery coming to get the rods out,” Jaime explained.

While the road to recovery won’t be easy, Jaxson fortunately has been feeling well enough to play games with family and friends, and he’s enjoyed being able to have his friends visit again.

“I was really thankful for them all, and my family and all my friends that were there for me,” he said.

It’s not just the support of his family and friends he’s thankful for, as Jaxson added he was incredibly grateful to everyone who supported him through the Gofundme, and also the community members who greeted him at the airport.

“Thank you to everyone that reached out to all of us during this horrific time, and everyone who showed up at the airport, it was great to see everyone cheering Jaxson on,” Jaime said.

Jaime and Jaxson both also wanted to extend a huge thank you to the medical staff caring for Jaxson, Amanda Keller, and everyone else who has helped support Jaxson’s recovery.

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by Tommy Osborne

A month removed from horrific car accident, local youth on the path to recovery

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