7 Healthcast: Spaulding rehab wrestler

16-year-old wrestling champion Donald McNeil has no problem pinning his opponent. He's got the awards and medals to prove it!

But it was a different story for the Plainville teen just one year ago.

Donald McNeil, paralyzed in wrestling accident
"I was doing like Greco-Roman wrestling in Virginia, and the kid like picked me up over his head and slammed me down on my neck."

Betsy McNeil, Donald's mom
"I let out a bloodcurdling scream, I did, I just knew that something horrible had just happened."

Laying motionless on the mat, Donald was paralyzed.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
"He had broken several vertebrae in his neck and had a spinal cord injury."

Doctors in Virginia told Donald he may never walk again, but he didn't believe them.

Donald McNeil, paralyzed in wrestling accident
"I knew I was going to be able to walk right from the start."

Donald was transferred to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, where he began intensive therapy.

And true to his word, after just 4 weeks of rehab, Donald walked out of the hospital.

Donald McNeil, paralyzed in wrestling accident
"I just had hope, I guess. I knew I was going to be alright."

Doctors at Spaulding say Donald's age, his athletic background, and his positive attitude, helped him make a speedy recovery.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital"
I didn't think that he would progress so that he got everything back, maybe 98-99 percent but he obviously got back 100 percent at least. He recovered very, very quickly, which was awesome."

Betsy McNeil, Donald's mom
"When Donald walked out of there, it was the most amazing feeling of, I mean I felt like we had been given a miracle."

Soon after walking again, Donald returned to the wrestling mat and was back on top of his game.

Donald was cleared to wrestle again just in time to compete in the state championships last year. With only ten days of practice under his belt, he came back and won the title!

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