TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT/Gray News) — A man jumped on a trampoline this past summer with his son. In the blink of an eye, he was paralyzed.
“I remember the accident clearly and I remember waking up from the surgery, not being able to speak or move,” said Preston Hills.
On Father’s Day, Hills and his family visited a friend’s house for a barbecue. That’s when he and his son decided to do a few tricks on the trampoline in the backyard, and within minutes, the unthinkable happened.
“I ended up landing off of the trampoline on my neck causing a cervical fracture that bent my spinal cord and left me paralyzed from the neck down,” said Hill.
Hills said he was transported to a hospital in Idaho Falls, where he was placed in ICU for three weeks. After that, he went to multiple rehabilitation centers in Denver and Nebraska.
Now he’s finally back in Twin Falls, where the community came together to throw a party for Hills at The Barber Shop at Gehrig Dale.
“Our customers are family – not just a customer, and when we found out that Preston got hurt, we just wanted to do something to help him out,” said Stan Sorenson.
Stan Sorenson is the owner of the barbershop. He says Hills has been a customer of his for years. Sorenson said he organized this party to help raise funds for Hill’s medical needs, which aren’t covered by insurance.
“Our ultimate goal is to give Preston hope and to let him know he has support all around him,” said Sorenson.
During the party, Hills got up to walk in the 0-K race, using a platform walker to show his progress. His ex-wife, Francesca Hills, walked with him across the finish line.
“It doesn’t surprise me that all these people showed up for him. He’s a great guy and being able to be a part of seeing his progress has been absolutely amazing,” said Francesca Hills.
“It felt great to cross the finish line, and there will be many more to come,” said Preston Hills.
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