Teenager severs spinal cord after jumping into pool to avoid wasp: 'It's a long road'

A teenager severed his spinal cord – and may never regain the use of his hands or feet – while trying to jump into a swimming pool to avoid a wasp, his family said.

On June 20, 13-year-old SJ Williams was playing in a community pool in Old Orchard Park, near his home in Little Elm, Texas, when he was startled by the insect. As he approached the edge of the pool, the teen attempted to dive or do a somersault before diving into the water, but ended up landing hard in the shallow end of the pool.

“I guess there was a panic, you know, a frantic move to get out of harm's way. SJ just jumped in the pool, but apparently he dove in not knowing maybe how deep the pool was,” said Louis Camper, Williams' grandfather. NBC-DFW“He just remembers hitting his head and he even said that he felt like his arms weren't part of his body because he couldn't feel anything.”

The impact severed his spinal cord and caused several other fractures, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser set up to help pay for his medical expenses. He is currently recovering at Children's Health Dallas after undergoing surgery, the spokesperson said. The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports.

“[Williams] “All he remembers after the jump is floating face down in the pool thinking his arm was floating next to him (because he couldn’t feel it),” his brother wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser. “He said he thought he was going to drown because he couldn’t move, so he was just gulping water. His friends said they thought he was just floating and playing at first.”

The GoFundMe page also noted that it was a friend's quick reaction that likely saved his life.

“If one of his friends hadn’t realized he wasn’t ‘just floating’…my mother would have planned a funeral,” Williams’ brother wrote.

Doctors told the family that SJ would no longer be able to use his arms and legs because his spinal cord was severely damaged.

“SJ was rushed to the hospital and we received absolutely devastating news. His spinal cord was severed so badly that he will no longer be able to use his legs and arms,” the GoFundMe page states. “SJ was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The fractured bones have been repaired. However, the spinal cord is the main stem of the body and we are told it is not repairable.”

Anya Camper, SJ's mother, urges people in a Facebook post to take advantage of their health and loved ones, as things can change quickly and without warning.

“Life happens fast. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Never take anything or anyone for granted. You NEVER think it's going to happen to you, until it happens to you,” she wrote.

Camper said she and her family are preparing for the changes they will all have to make to support SJ in his recovery.

“The reality is it’s a long road. It’s going to be a marathon for us and we have to support him and be with him every step of the way,” Anya Camper said. NBC-DFW.