It was an accident at a community pool in Frisco that has a family from Little Elm left in shock after their 13-year-old's life changed in an instant.
According to reports, Semyon Williams Jr., also known as SJ, was at a neighborhood pool in Old Orchard Park in Frisco on June 20th when he dove into the shallow end while trying to run from a wasp.
"I suppose there was a panic, you know, a frantic measure to get out of harm's way. SJ just jumped into the pool, but apparently, he dove in unbeknownst to perhaps the depth of the pool," said Louis Camper, Williams' grandfather. “He just recalls hitting his head and he even indicated that it felt as if his arms were not part of his body because of the fact that he couldn't feel."
His family said Williams' friend, who also jumped in the water, initially thought the 13-year-old was floating face down for fun and joking until he realized the teen wasn't moving.
"He turns him over, and that's when he's asking him, 'Are you playing?' and SJ's like, he can speak, but he's like, 'I can't feel anything.' You know, he's freaking out. He's like, ''Help me! I can't feel -- I can't feel my arms, my legs. Help me, call my mom," described Anya Camper who is Semyon's mother.
Thankfully, Anya said her son's friend saved his life because Semyon couldn't move and was taking in water.
"By the grace of God, that is his friend happened to be there and jumped in," said SJ's grandfather. That's the good news, the bad? Semyon had shattered his spine. He was paralyzed and spent more than 100 days in the hospital.
The video below tells the rest of the story. Where, through rehab, encouragement & the prayers of many, including NFL Legends Emmitt Smith and Tim Brown, 13-year-old Semyon is on the road to recovery.