High school baseball star declared brain dead from freak accident during practice; faith in Jesus giving family strength

A high school baseball star suffered a freak accident during practice in November and has now been declared brain dead by his doctors.

Jeremy Medina, 17, was at baseball practice in Georgia on Nov. 20. Medina suffered a horrific injury when he allegedly leaned into a batting cage net while a teammate was hitting balls.

Gainesville High School Principal Jamie Green explained, "As a player followed through on his swing, Jeremy leaned into the net and was struck in the head. There is no horseplay, no misconduct, and no intent."

Medina was rushed to the hospital and has been hospitalized in a coma ever since.

"The initial trauma to his head was significant and caused him to lose consciousness, and as he lost consciousness, he lost his ability to maintain his airway," said Dr. Michael Cormican, the director of Surgical Critical Care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, according to WAGA-TV.

Medina was put on life support at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

On Wednesday, Cormican revealed the tragic news that Medina had "progressed to death by neurological criteria, or brain dead."

Cormican added, "I've got a teenage son myself, and honestly, I can't imagine the pain the family has had to deal with."

Jeremy's father, David Medina, announced that they would donate the teenage athlete’s organs and tissue.

"Not only will lives be saved and improved, but the family members, friends, and communities of those who receive his organs and tissues will be forever impacted by the memories made possible thanks to a second chance at life," the distraught father said. "Although his life ended so young, Jeremy’s legacy will continue through his selfless decision to give the gift of life. We encourage others to consider following Jeremy’s example and register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, "The family and close friends will perform an honor walk with Jeremy’s body when it is taken to the operating room for the organ donation procedures, pastor Frank Medina, Jeremy’s uncle, said. The date and time for the honor walk are still to be determined, and Jeremy will be laid to rest after the procedure."

Medina said the family has relied on their faith to get through the heartbreaking situation.

"We are a family of faith. We walk by faith and not sight," Medina proclaimed.

"I just want everyone to be sure that our strength, my family's strength, my strength since day one has been and only been rooted in the most amazing power of Jesus Christ, our savior, and our redemptor," he declared.

Medina said his family is "so grateful" for the prayers and thoughts of people around the world.

"All these people don't even know my son — don't even know my family — but they are together with us in prayer and supporting us in this moment," Medina said.

Jeremy Medina was a devout Christian who hoped to become a youth minister, according to his father.

Jeremy was a senior in high school, where he was a catcher and a pitcher.

Gainesville High School baseball player considered brain dead, family decides to donate his organswww.youtube.com

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