Randolph County teen shares road to recovery after accident

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — The road to recovery for 16-year-old Caleb Dulin has been a long one. He is overcoming problems caused by the brain damage caused by the accident and is on his way to returning to some normalcy.

His father, a High Point officer, shares his gratitude to the community with WFMY News 2 after his son survived a serious accident last year.

The Dulin family firmly believes that their faith, strong sense of family, and overwhelming support from the community helped Caleb heal the way he did.

It all happened on Halloween last year, a day Caleb doesn't remember but will never forget, “but the day before…I remember craving pumpkins or something,” said Caleb Dulin.

According to state troopers, Caleb was driving on Finch Farm Road, struck a culvert after crossing the center line and overturned. He was rushed to hospital where he remained for two and a half months. Caleb was surrounded by his loved ones all the time, but he was unresponsive.

“I couldn't do anything, but after a little while I could see a little bit of light, a little bit of hope,” Caleb Dulin said.

After regaining consciousness, Caleb had to relearn the basics: “I had to relearn how to blink and swallow, it was a big thing.”

Before the accident, Caleb enjoyed drawing, snowboarding, hunting and fishing.

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Hobbies he can't wait to get back to, but he understands he still needs more time to heal, especially when it comes to hunting and fishing, he joked, “my therapist m 'said I can't use guns or knives or anything, so, I won't,'

Caleb's father, David Dulin, has worked for the High Point Police Department for more than two decades. “You know, in my job you see a lot of bad things, but this is the hardest thing I've ever faced,” David Dulin said.

Although it was difficult to see his son like that, it opened his eyes to how supportive his family was.

“It really shows you how a bad situation like that shows you how much people care about you,” David Dulin said.

Creating a feeling of gratitude that he will carry with him forever, “um… I would just like to say that I am grateful. I am grateful. I am grateful for the support of everyone and everyone who has loved us .I am forever grateful,” said David Dulin.

Due to the accident, Caleb had to cut short his 10th grade year. He assures WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman that he will graduate on time with the rest of his class.

Last month, he was greeted by his classmates and teachers as he enrolled in 11th grade at Wheatmore High School.

RELATED: High Point police officer's son moves to outpatient care