WESTFIELD, Ind. — Corban Phillips is a bright and active 16-year-old from Westfield. He loves rugby and gymnastics and is good at both.
On the afternoon of Aug. 24, Corban was practicing his flipping moves in gymnastics. He had an accident on a trampoline in a friend's backyard.
"He was halfway through the second rotation when he was head down and landed," said his mom, April Phillips.
Corban said he has plenty of videos of himself doing a double front flip.
"It was something he was good at doing," Corban said.
After the accident, Corban's father, Matthew Phillips, rushed to his side.
"He was in the middle of the trampoline, faced down, screaming that he couldn't move, couldn't feel anything from the neck down," Matthew said.
The Phillips said the Westfield Fire Department arrived within minutes to transport Corban to Ascension St. Vincent hospital to undergo emergency surgery.
Corban injured his C5 and C6 vertebrae, which his family says is now fused with pins and screws.
Corban is paralyzed from the waist down.
"Things can change in just a second," April said.
Corban's parents and his 13-year-old sister, Caelyn, are hoping he gets better and is able to walk again one day.
"The hope has always been strong," Matthew said.
"It's the fear that gets in the way sometimes of not knowing," April said. "This is life-changing, life-altering, and the expenses are astronomical."
April has had to take a leave of absence from work. She's currently on FMLA.
The family now has to consider rehabilitation, an accessible van and more.
The community is stepping up to help.
Erica Strahm, president of the Westfield Shamrocks Rugby Club, has started a GoFundMe account to help the family with expenses.
"One of Corban's other passions is rugby, and the Phillips have quickly become an integral part of our Westfield Shamrocks Rugby Club. Our club views them as family, and it's our honor to assist in starting this GoFundMe on their behalf," Strahm wrote. "We will remain #CorbanStrong!"
The Phillips are thankful.
"The support we've seen thus far has had us in a lot of tears," April said. "In this economy, you could be putting your money into groceries or your own bills, and people are giving any dollar amount to a kid and a family who they have never met before."
The Phillips want others to know how dangerous trampolines can be.
"They are truly far more dangerous, and just because we didn't get hurt growing up, didn't mean our kids weren't going to get hurt," April said.
They encourage families to set rules and have limits on its use.
Corban's recovery will be long and painful.
"One of his friends came up yesterday, and it was really the first time we saw him smile," Matthew said.
These are the moments the Phillips say help them get through each day.
Right now, Corban's family says he has mobility from his shoulders to his wrist, fine motor skills in his hands and he can communicate well.
"He's been a trooper. He's been so strong," Matthew said.
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