A high school baseball star from Georgia had been declared brain-dead after a tragic accident late last month. Jeremy Medina, an 18-year-old standout player for Gainesville High School, was hit in the head by a bat on November 20th and has been hospitalized in a coma since. The youngster has been on life support at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainsville. Medina was declared dead by neurological criteria on Sunday. by Dr. Michael Cormican, the hospital’s director of surgical critical care.
The young man’s family confirmed this week that he will be removed from life support and will be an organ donor as per his wishes. Medina signed the back of his driver’s license when he received it and will likely go on to help others in need through his gift. The young star was injured as the result of a freak accident during batting practice last month.
Medina’s principal, Jamie Green, said the player leaned into a batting cage net while a teammate was hitting balls. He said: “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.” In a private meeting with Medina’s teammates, Green revealed the news of life support being terminated and made grief counselors available for students.
The teen, who reportedly had been offered a scholarship to play college baseball, has been the focus of the small town as residents rallied around and prayed for his condition to improve. A local billboard was taken out with the simple message of “Pray for Jeremy.” The young star was well-liked in the community and had big plans after high school.
Jeremy’s dad, David, described his son as a devout Christian, hoping to become a youth minister one day. David Medina said: “Our strength, my family’s strength, my strength since day one has been rooted in the most amazing power of Jesus Christ. (Some well-wishers) don’t even know my son, don’t even know my family, but they’re together with us in prayer and support us in this moment.”
The star pitcher and catcher was described as a leader on and off the field. His father recalled challenging his son and warning him about taking on too much, and his reply: “And every time I will tell him, ‘You know that not everyone can be like playing sports, working and doing what you do and be able to keep up the grades. Do you know that?’ (He says) ‘Dad, I don’t know, I’m just being me.'”
Doctors believe Medina was immediately knocked unconscious upon impact from the blow and lost his ability to breathe almost instantly. Dr. Michael Cormican, the director of Surgical Critical Care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, said: “The initial trauma to his head was significant and caused him to lose consciousness and as he lost consciousness, he lost his ability to maintain his airway.”
It was a freak accident and a tragic loss of life. Jeremy Medina had a bright future and a desire to give back and help people. Now, he will help people in death as an organ donor. Best wishes to the family at this hard time.
featured image screen grab from embedded YouTube video
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