BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Lakeview volunteer firefighter and his son both experienced medical emergencies over the past year leaving the family with unexpected expenses and a loss of income.
And, despite an accident that left him paralyzed, 13-year-old Clayton Pike is optimistic he'll walk again.
"We're very eager to get on the road to rehab so Clayton can get back to being a 13-year-old child," says Clayton's mom, Kimberly.
Clayton Pike and his friends were playing in the snow two weeks ago when he shattered his C5 vertebrae and damaged his spine... leaving him unable to walk. He's made a lot of progress and is looking forward to being active again.
"To be able to hopefully get back to practice for my team Star Swimming downtown, hang out with friends, and try to be able to eat by my own on myself, and just get back to swimming and living a normal life," says Clayton Pike.
The accident was the second medical emergency Clayton's family faced this year. His dad, Tim, a Lakeview firefighter for almost 30 years, was diagnosed with a platelet disorder about a year ago and this summer was in the ICU with pneumonia.
"It's not been the easiest past six months. We're a traditional, middle class, working family, you know, we were prepared for an emergency fund, but when you have so many emergencies simultaneously, and spread over the months, nobody's prepared for that," says Kimberly.
But the community stepped up — from Clayton's swim team to the fire department — Kimberly is thankful for the support.
"We can never repay them for all the time and love and compassion they've showed us and continue to show us," she says.
Clayton wants to be a firefighter like his dad when he grows up and is determined to get better so next Christmas he can dress up as an elf and go out on one of the fire trucks to pass out candy like he wanted to this year.
"The outcome is what you put into it basically. So, I'm going to try and give all my best, so I can get better and be able to do more stuff," says Clayton.
The Pike's friends and family members want to raise $100,000 through GoFundMe.