Community Corner

Grant Milton: His Journey From A Traumatic Brain Injury

"The child we had a year ago just isn't there anymore. That's the hardest realization," his father, Miles Milton said.

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- It's been nearly 18 months since then-18-year-old Grant Milton suffered a devastating traumatic brain injury during a high school playoff game in Waco.

Eighteen months ago, Milton, who played linebacker for The Woodlands Highlanders, was enjoying his senior season and getting ready for the next chapter in his life at the University of Texas-Austin.

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But everything changed on Nov. 26, 2016, during a playoff game in Waco against Austin Bowie, when Milton suffered a seizure on the sidelines, and was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery.

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Milton remained in a Waco hospital for nearly a month and his story drew the attention of Houston Texans superstar J.J. Watt who donated $10,000 toward Milton's care.

The family set up a GoFundMe account, and ultimately raised $147,023 through January 2017, which helped fund the surgery and his transfer to TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston.

In June 2017, Milton was transferred to Touchstone Neurorecovery Center in Conroe, where he has been ever since.

According to The Woodlands Online, Milton continues with is therapy and though he relies on a feeding tube, he has begun to eat small amounts of pureed food.

Although Milton continues to slowly recover, the family acknowledges that their son will never be the same as he was before the injury.

"The child we had a year ago just isn't there anymore. That's the hardest realization," his father Miles Milton told Woodlands Online. "But I think of people who have lost a child outright … and I just can't imagine. I can still go visit my son and talk to him."

You can follow Milton's progress on the CaringBridge.com website, or make a tax deductible donation on their GoFundMe page.

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