Paralyzed Independence High School varsity football quarterback Tyler Shilhabel, 16, is out of his medically-induced coma and will be starting rehabilitation this week, his varsity football coach Sean McKeown said.McKeown tells 17 News he spoke with Schilhabel on the phone Tuesday, saying the teen was in good spirits and wanted to tank everyone for the support.
Hundreds of students and staff members bowed their heads in silence before class at independence high school Tuesday morning. Students from different cliques, religions and walks of life stood side-by-side, quietly praying for Schilhabel, who was paralyzed from the chest down Sunday after an ATV accident.
"This is it. Tyler's such a great kid he has so much more life ahead of him, he doesn't need to be paralyzed for the rest of his life from the chest down god," classmate Zachary Rennie said as he led the prayer.
"It's sad it happened, but all we can do now is pray and give our best efforts for the family and try to raise money to help the family," Schilhabel’s close friend Tyler Adkins said.
"I wish him the best and I hope he gets better soon," Paige Bassle said.
"We love him and we want him to be strong and we'll be strong for him," Kristin Hokit said.
His friends created a Facebook page titled ‘Pray for Tyler Schilhabel’, with more than 900 fans. People are posting well-wishes, many who have never met the teen. Some write they have loved ones who have also been paralyzed, such as one woman who wrote, "…my son was a high school varsity athlete and is now paralyzed from the chest down, but doesn't let it stop him."
