`Brayden in the hospital after being struck`

Brayden was struck by lightning approximately at 1pm on Labor Day. I was 20 ft away from him. We were doing what he loves to do. Playing soccer at an amazing complex that he so desired to play on. It came out of nowhere with no warning signs or storms visible. I was retrieving a ball from the goal that he just scored on me when I heard the most awful sonic boom you could imagine. I instantly turned to my right where I last recalled seeing my son. I watched him collapse to the ground. I know the most blood curdling scream came from throat. I rushed to his side. In disbelief I stared at my lifeless son. There were park employees not far off in the distance, I screamed for them to call 911. Next thing I know one of the gentlemen jumped onto my son's chest and started giving him chest compressions. I remember pleading to him your hurting my son. He looked me in the face and said we have to keep going, I am not stopping. I then closed my son's nose and starting breathing into his mouth. The whole time we pleaded for him to fight for his life. I could feel his lungs inflate and deflate with every breath. I don't know how long this went on......then I heard sirens. Felt like a lifetime but it was mere minutes from what I'm told. Then the EMS crew emerged and started their efforts on my son. I stepped away to let them work. I cried, screamed, prayed,and pleaded for my son to fight, never knowing if he was ever in our presence. I was later told he was not with us for some time. 3 doses of EPI were needed before his heart began to flutter.

He was boarded onto the ambulance and we were off. A complete stranger at the time offered to drive my vehicle behind the ambulance and that he did. I now had to call my wife and let her know her baby boy was struck. The words could hardly leave my mouth. And I could hear the sheer terror in her voice. I prompted her to get her mom to drive her to her sons side. I had failed my son and wife. I am supposed to protect him from any and all danger and I let them down. It should have been me not him. This young boy as innocent as they come did not deserve this. WHY???????? Nothing will ever take away my feeling of rage and hopelessness. It seemed like forever before I was able to see my son in the ER of the closest facility to the incident. There was a sea of people around him when I turned the corner. He had tubes and hoses everywhere. But he also had a HEARTBEAT…….. (written by Bill Moeller)

After Brayden was struck he spent two weeks in the hospital and two years in recovery. Brayden worked hard to get back to playing soccer he trained everyday and by high school he was their star goalie. Brayden is now attending college at Florida Gulf Coast University studying physical therapy/exercise so that he can help others in their recovery . Brayden still struggles with the effects of his lightning injuries that has left him with short term memory loss and severe nerve pain.

Brayden’s Story

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