The community is supporting Swanton teen injured in accident

By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
[email protected]

The community was there Saturday, despite less than ideal weather, to support a Swanton High School graduate who was hospitalized after a car accident in February.

Seventeen-year-old Shane Rhodes was the passenger of a car that turned in front of a semi-truck that struck the vehicle in which Rhodes was sitting.

According to LeeAnn Ham, whose son is a close friend of Rhodes, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and liver, a punctured lung and a fractured pelvis.

He was initially on a ventilator but later switched to a tracheostomy tube, which was eventually removed. He still uses a feeding tube because he cannot swallow on his own.

On May 2, he was transferred to Ohio State Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus, where he will receive three hours of therapy daily, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Rhodes’ most recent accomplishment was giving his doctor the thumbs up and snapping his fingers when asked.

Saturday’s event, held at the high school and led by Ham, was intended to raise money for Rhodes’ ongoing treatment through a 1-mile walk, a 50/50 raffle and more than 30 gift baskets.

Robert L. Rhodes, Shane’s grandfather and guardian, was touched by the outpouring of support. “I didn’t realize so many people knew my grandson,” he said. “He’s a very popular young man.”

He called Rhodes an “energetic guy” who shows respect to everyone he speaks to, from family to strangers. According to Robert, Rhodes is slowly regaining his ability to follow instructions and perform basic movements.

They weren’t sure if he actually recognized them, he said, but Rhodes seemed to be attentive to sounds and had the ability to understand and follow simple commands.

“Speaking is probably the longest part of recovery, no one can give an estimate,” Robert said.

As of Monday evening, a GoFundMe page set up by the Hams had raised just over $2,000 of the $100,000 goal. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/medical-bills-for-shane-rhodes. For more information about donations or other ways to help, please contact Ham at [email protected].

Future updates on Rhodes’ status will be posted on the Swanton Ohio Awareness Group Facebook page.