Classmates send off injured Blue Valley swimmer for treatment in Denver

Posted on: 7:36 pm, April 2, 2014, by Kasey Babbitt and Megan Brilley, updated on: 10:18pm, April 2, 2014

OLATHE, Kan. A Blue Valley High School senior said goodbye to friends and family on Wednesday as he boarded a plane to Denver, Colorado, where he plans to undergo treatment following a paralyzing surfing accident.

Shortly after 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning 18-year-old Alex Fraser was loaded onto a small private plane at the Johnson County Executive Airport. He then spent the morning traveling, with his parents by his side, to a top Denver rehabilitation center.

Before they left, Frasers dad tweeted out to family and friends inviting them here to say goodbye, resulting in several fellow classmates showing up to see off their friend.

Fraser had been on spring break vacation with his parents and three brothers, as well as other students and families from Blue Valley High School, when he suffered a critical life threatening injury to his neck and spinal cord while surfing. The injury left him paralyzed from the waist down.

About a month prior to the injury Fraser had broken a school record for breast stroke in swimming and also regularly participates in the schools drum line.

Even though Fraser was off to treatment by the time Wednesday night rolled around, both HIS friends and family back home still tweeted him pictures, letting him know hes on their mind.

His Blue Valley classmates even made a video for him and have fundraisers planned.

I went to see him and I was inspired by him. Just his will, his desire. I told him when I visited him, you know youve been to the edge. Hes quite likely going to have to do it again in his rehabilitation. But hes certainly capable of that, said Scott Bacon, the principal of Blue Valley High School.

A group called Alexs Angels has put together an online campaign to support the family. CLICK HERE for more information or to donate.

Originally posted here:
Classmates send off injured Blue Valley swimmer for treatment in Denver