BOSTON (CBS) – The neighbors and businesses of the Boston Seaport gathered Sunday to rally behind the 18-year-old. Jake Tybolt, the hockey star at Milton Academy He recently suffered a serious injury On the snow.
“The sad truth and reality right now is that he’s not going to walk,” said Drew Tybolt, Jake’s brother. “In my opinion, he will force his legs to move again.”
Jake is one of New England’s top potential hockey players. He plays for Milton Academy and two private clubs. During a hockey tournament earlier this month, he hit the board hard and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him nearly paralyzed from the waist down.
The money raised Sunday at a fundraising event at The Lawn on D in South Boston will go to help Thibeault’s family pay medical bills.
“We are not a charity, but we are just fellow neighbors with a heart to help people when they need something,” said Katie McCabe of Seaport Strong, who organized the fundraiser.
Matt Grzelcic and Jake Thibault. (family photo)
The hockey community rallied behind Jake. Members of the Boston Bruins visited Jake at the hospital last week including Matt Grzelcyk, who gave him an autograph signed from a hockey stick.
“I was impressed by how strong he is, and how strong his family is. The attitude he has already shown is very impressive,” Grzelcic said.
Paul Canaza, Jake’s hockey coach, said it’s among the best he’s ever coached.
“A blue collar kid, incredible work ethic, energy level, positivity, appreciative, humble. That’s what got him where it got him,” Kanazza said.
A week after the surgery, Jake is rehab at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown. He knows he has a long way to go, but his brother says his support like this will give him the strength to succeed.
“Support has literally been a lifeline for him. Without her I don’t know where any of us would be,” Drew said.
a GoFundMe Page It was created to help Jake’s family with medical costs and home construction costs. To date, over $400,000 has been raised.
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