Grayson Pope celebrates his miraculous recovery one year after tragic accident

Grayson Pope was seriously injured a year ago when a tree fell on his golf cart.

On Thursday, family and friends paid tribute to his miraculous recovery. They gathered at the Trussville Mall to celebrate Grayson’s progress. Grayson joined them in the celebration, even though they weren’t sure that would have been possible a year ago.

“I know this sounds crazy, but when I hug him, my ear is right next to his heart and every time I hear his heartbeat, I could fall to my knees and thank God,” said Jamie Pope, Grayson’s mother.

A year ago, Grayson was a rising junior at Hewitt Trussville High School, a normal teenager and baseball player.

On June 6, 2023, his life changed forever. His mother Jamie remembers what happened that day.

“Grayson was playing golf with a few of his buddies when a storm suddenly came through. They got in their golf carts and were trying to get back to the clubhouse when a very large oak tree fell on the roof of his golf cart,” Jamie said.

Grayson and one of his friends were in the golf cart. Jamie said Grayson pushed his friend out of the cart when the tree fell.

Grayson suffered hundreds of brain hemorrhages, severe brain stem damage, displacement and swelling of his brain, and showed no positive neurological signs or independent breathing.

He remained in a coma at UAB Hospital for 42 days. Then his family packed up and moved from Trussville to Atlanta for further treatment.

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“He learned how to eat, how to walk, how to talk, how to brush his teeth, how to dress himself. I mean, he literally had to learn everything all over again as a 16-year-old,” Jamie said.

In October 2023, four months after his accident, Grayson began to walk and by the end of the month he was also able to speak.

While Grayson has made a great recovery, his family is still wondering what’s next for Grayson. But Grayson has a pretty good idea of ​​what his next goal will be.

“Hopefully I’ll get more athletic and be able to return to baseball,” Grayson said.

Grayson completed his entire junior year of high school from January to May. He is on track to begin his senior year with his classmates in the fall.

A Facebook group called “Prayers for Grayson Pope #pray4gray” continues to share updates on Grayson’s recovery.