As is my Sunday tradition, I write about someone who is deserving of our praise. Today this is the family of Jeremy Medina.
Jeremy Medina, 17, was at baseball practice in Georgia on Nov. 20. Medina suffered a horrific injury when he allegedly leaned into a batting cage net while a teammate was hitting balls.
Gainesville High School Principal Jamie Green explained, “As a player followed through on his swing, Jeremy leaned into the net and was struck in the head. There is no horseplay, no misconduct, and no intent.”
Medina was rushed to the hospital and has been hospitalized in a coma ever since.
This story struck home with me because of something similar that happened when I was about eight. During the summer my friends and I used to walk over to the Emmett grade school ball field to watch the older kids play softball. The good thing about this was that we could get very close to the field and hence very close to the teenage ball players. The bad thing was that we (I) got very close to the on-deck area where the next hitter was warming up by vigorously swinging a baseball bat. Yes, I was hit in the head. Unconscious temporarily? … I do not recall, but back in those days, nothing much was made of it, except I was a lot more careful about where I was in reference to the on-deck hitter.
“The initial trauma to his head was significant and caused him to lose consciousness. Medina was put on life support at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
On Wednesday,, 12/6/23, Medina had “progressed to death by neurological criteria, or brain dead.”
Jeremy’s father, David Medina, announced that they would donate the teenage athlete’s organs and tissue.
“Not only will lives be saved and improved, but the family members, friends, and communities of those who receive his organs and tissues will be forever impacted by the memories made possible thanks to a second chance at life,” the distraught father said. “Although his life ended so young, Jeremy’s legacy will continue through his selfless decision to give the gift of life. We encourage others to consider following Jeremy’s example and register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor.”
Medina said the family has relied on their faith to get through the heartbreaking situation. “We are a family of faith. We walk by faith and not sight,” Medina proclaimed.
Whereas we can all admire the resilience of the Medina family, perhaps a silent moment of prayer is called for.
12/31/23