OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A teen, who was critically injured in a car crash in 2022, was able to walk across the stage this year at his high school graduation.
Sam Smalldon is like every other senior; excited for high school to be over and excited to start a new life.
“I'm so sick of school. So nice to be done,” said Smalldon.
“It's fantastic. Not only did we not know we were going to have this day, but he also is the bottom of four boys,” said his mom, Jill Smalldon.
For his family, this transition in life means so much more.
“We learned how to walk and talk and eat and smile and everything right?” said Jill.
“Yep,” said Sam.
Sam Smalldon was critically injured in a car crash two years ago.
He suffered brain bleeds, broken ribs and other internal injuries. Sam spent weeks in rehab, learning how to walk and talk again.
But during that time, Sam says he received so much support.
“It is honestly, like unbelievable seeing that car is only one seat left and it was the seat I was in so one I'm lucky,” said Sam.
And after all of his hard work, he was able to walk across the stage and graduate from West Ottawa High School.
“I was given a lot while I was recovering, like people would come to the hospital. I don't remember it. But they came did stuff with me. So, I mean, we've got to give back but you were given,” said Sam.
But he and his mom Jill say their work doesn't stop here.
“If we can be source of hope, or inspiration for anybody in any situation, not just a car accident situation, then that's kind of what we want to do with this story. You know, you got to make lemonade out of lemons. And we were given love and so we did what we could to make it a little bit of silver lining around that experience. And if we can share that with anybody then it's a good thing,” said Jill.
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