Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School football player Chase Smith has been moved from the intensive care unit at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital and continues to show improvement, according to his mother.
Theresa Smith said Thursday that her son is alert and the family is optimistic concerning his recovery.
“He has been moved to a regular room on the stroke level and is showing good signs,” she said. “He’s by no means out of trouble, but with all he’s gone through he’s able to keep smiling. Right now they’re still trying to figure out why it happened.”
Smith suffered the first of four strokes while at home July 14 and has been hospitalized since. According to his mother, a blood vessel in his brain is abnormal and is causing his blood to clot.
“It’s a mystery as to why, but at least they know what caused the strokes,” she said. “He’s going to have more tests run, and hopefully we’ll have more answers soon.”
The LFO football team has raised more than $6,000 to help defray some of the cost of Chase’s medical bills, and a fund has been set up at Northwest Georgia Bank for anyone wishing to contribute. Updates on his condition are being posted on Facebook on the football team’s page.
Theresa Smith said the response has lifted her son’s spirits.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support, and we realize Chase is a very loved young man,” she said. “We’re seeing a miracle through this child. He has all his faculties and he heard the [television] newscast and he heard his coach talk about him, and I can tell you he was very touched.”
According to LFO football coach and athletic director Todd Windham, the team also will raise money at the Fort Oglethorpe Chick-fil-A on Aug. 29, the night before the Warriors kick off their season at home against Gordon Lee.
“We’re thankful for all the support, not only from our community but from the entire area,” said Windham, who noted that rival schools have inquired about helping out. “It shows the fraternity of prep football. We’re competitors and rivals, but something like this puts a proper perspective on things.”
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreeepress.com or at 423-757-6296.