Student on long road to recovery

SANDUSKY — A local high school student is adjusting to life after a horrific crash that happened almost one month ago. Kye Crawford, 17, was the passenger in a truck that crashed in the 1100 block of W. Mason Road in Milan Township on Oct. 31. Crawford was flown via medical helicopter to a Toledo hospital. The crash occurred when the driver went off the road to the right, over-corrected, went left of center and then left the road to the left and flipped the truck. The vehicle came to rest more than 350 feet from the road, according to an Erie County Sheriff's Office report. "At only 17 years old, he was left paralyzed from the waist down from the accident," Crawford's GoFundMe page states. Wheelchair ramp and home improvements Within the past month, a Facebook page, called Kye Strong, has posted several updates about Crawford's journey. Some posts show Kye attempting to walk and getting visits from family and friends while being hospitalized. "His recovery is a journey that is going to be long emotionally and physically for him and everyone in his life," a Nov. 13 update from Crawford's parents said. "We have been researching spinal cord injury rehab facilities for his transfer once his doctors release him from here. Kye will spend a couple of months in an acute spinal cord injury rehabilitation facility where they will teach him how to live his life with only his upper body." In recent weeks, Crawford's family started constructing a ramp to their home's entrance and making various renovations to accommodate him using a wheelchair. "We are beyond grateful for every donation and person that's came out to help and each company offering to donate supplies," a Nov. 21 post said. "Currently, we are still in need of a Trex railing system for the entry ramp, but everything else is moving along and it's amazing to see the progress on the house." Sandusky, EHOVE students create video Sandusky and EHOVE Career Center students recently united to encourage Crawford. Sandusky High School guidance counselor Babe Sidoti-Palmer said she worked with EHOVE counselor Wes Sanderson to coordinate and put together a video of students from both schools. The video can be viewed on the Sandusky High School's guidance and counseling department's Facebook page. "We work closely with the EHOVE Career Center's school counselors on the students we share," she said. "(Fellow Sandusky counselor Kristina) Davis, and I wanted a sign of solidarity with EHOVE to let Kye know that both schools have his back." Sidoti-Palmer further explained how the video was created. "We then got permission from our administrative team, Mike Strohl and Eric Talbot, and we reached out to (Sandusky head football coach) Lucas Poggiali and our athletic director Shawn Coakley to have a meeting with the football team to see if they would be willing to do the video. It was a unanimous 'yes.' "EHOVE did the same with Kye's program, too," she said. "This is just one small gesture that we hope paves the way on his road to recovery." In the two-minute video, dozens of Crawford's peers enrolled in EHOVE's construction tech program and members of Sandusky High School's football team reminded Crawford that they care and are there for him. "We've got you, Kye," his construction tech classmates said. Added Poggiali: "We're thinking about you, we love you, we're here to fight with you and stand with you and whatever you need, you'll always have the brotherhood looking out for you." A hopeful message concluded the video. "Kye, your family, friends, schools and community are here to support you no matter what. You've got this," it said. Crowdfunding page reaches $34K Shortly after the crash, Theresa Gibson started an appeal for donations on GoFundMe for Crawford. "We are asking for some help to give (the family) one less stressor to worry about," the page states. "The amount of support from administrators, staff, coaches and students from Sandusky Schools, Perkins Schools and EHOVE is truly inspiring," Kye's father Charles Crawford said. As of Sunday evening, more than $34,000 was raised. The goal amount is set to $55,000 for Crawford's medical care and other needs. Want to help? To assist with Crawford and his family, donate to the #KyeStrong page at gofundme.com or through Venmo to @Tricia-Crawford-17. Editor's note: Reporter Bill Theisen contributed to this article. _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood