ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – An 8-year-old Alaska boy had to relearn how to walk and talk after suffering a traumatic brain injury when a tree fell on him.
Paxson Schultz, 8, loves hunting, snowmachining and spending time with his dogs, but last March, everything changed when a tree fell on him, crushing his skull.
“I almost died,” the 8-year-old told KTUU.
Doctors told Paxson’s mother, Jodee Schultz, her son might not survive his injuries.
“They let us know that the medicine he was on for swelling started to not work anymore and to be prepared, in the next 12 hours, that he most likely won’t make it,” she said. “It was the most excruciating pain a parent could ever go through.”
But Paxson did survive, as he reminded his mother: “I mostly did all the hard work.”
The 8-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him in a wheelchair. He’s had to relearn how to walk and talk in therapy. His hard work continues in Chicago, where he’s undergoing physical therapy.
“I got hurt,” Paxson said. “I’m here to get better.”
The 8-year-old has remained positive, saying he feels proud of himself for how far he’s come.
“It’s been challenging, ups and downs, but he’s done amazing and incredible recovery,” Schultz said.
Paxson’s mother says her son has become a “little celebrity” back home in Alaska, and she is grateful for the outpouring of community support her family has received, so much so that Paxson says it sometimes makes her cry.
“It’s incredible to see the community that rallied behind him,” Schultz said. “There’s no words I could think of to show them how truly thankful we are for everyone who has supported us along the way.”
Paxson and his mom will return to Alaska from Chicago in May. The 8-year-old says he most looks forward to giving his dogs “a million kisses” when he gets home.
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