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Teen paralyzed in bike incident gets help
Posted at: 06/15/2012 11:54 AM
| Updated at: 06/15/2012 6:35 PM
By: Beth Wurtmann
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ALBANY - "Just 15, and all of this over a bicycle.... I don't know, It's just horrible, horrible," said Brian Adams on Friday.
Adams said he's both heartbroken and a little hopeful, now that his son Adeujuan is getting treatment for a severe spinal cord injury.
The teen is paralyzed from the neck down during a stabbing on May 25, when prosecutors said 18-year-old Juan Anderson tried to steal Adeujaun's bicycle.
Friday morning, a member of the Albany County District Attorney's office snapped pictures as Adeujuan was loaded into an air ambulance at the Albany airport with his mother at this side.
The plane flew the teen to The Shepard Center in Atlanta, which specializes in adolescent spinal cord injuries. The $11,000-dollar flight was funded by St. Peter's Health Partners and anonymous donors.
Also Friday, Anderson was arraigned on robbery and assault charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted. But Adeujuan's family said for now, they are focused on helping the teen.
"All he could do is whisper and say,'I love you.' And I said, 'I love you too and we have to be strong.'" said Brenda Skervin, Adeujuan's aunt.
"And I keep talking to him, 'I know, I know but we're all here for you buddy, you know. You're going to make it through this.' And try to be as positive as possible, without myself breaking down in the process," said Brian Adams.
The District Attorney announced that a fund has been set up by Adeujuan's family to help with the teen's medical expenses.
You can donate to this address: Fund Drive, Cap Com Credit Union, Adeujuan Adams Fund. Box 6818. Albany, New York 12206.
