By the edhat staff
An fundraiser has been set up to help a local surfer who became paralyzed in a swimming accident.
Collin Bosse, 23, was hanging out with friends in San Diego’s Mission Bay earlier this month. Bosse reportedly dove into a section of water assuming it would be deep and it turned out to be a shallow section.
“I hit my head on the bottom, and I just felt this sensation go throughout all of my hands and limbs … I opened my eyes, and I could see my hands floating. Right then and there, I realized I was paralyzed,” said Bosse to San Diego’s KGTV.
Friends rushed to Bosse and pulled him from the water and called 9-1-1. He was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery. Specialists confirmed fractures and damage to his spinal cord causing paralysis from the chest down.
(courtesy photo)
Bosse is a Santa Barbara native and competitive surfer who graduated from San Diego State last year with a degree in business.
“Definitely go through waves where I’m little upset I’m never going to be same way ever again. But then, there’s no reason to feel sorry for myself,” said Bosse. “I don’t know if I will get as close to where I was before the accident in terms of surfing. But I will 100% surf again. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
A Gofundme campaign has been set up to help with medical care and rehabilitation.
“We have faith in [Collin’s] unparalleled dedication to any project put in front of him, including the events he must now face. There is no doubt that Collin will bring 110% of his strength and determination to the hurdles before him,” the online fundraiser states.
Hey Collin.
Coming from someone who has their C -spine, T -spine, and L- spine destroyed in 1 second, I can’t say I feel your pain, and I understand.
I am am not open here about my identity for a reason.
If you want to ask Q’s about what you are going thru I could maybe give you some guidance.
Surfer/Snow boarder/water skier/skateboarder
Maybe we have something in common..
chicoberkeley@gmail.com
You are a good person Chico. I see it time and again.
So many parallels with JESSE BILLAUER’s story. He was a well-known young surfer from Pacific Palisades who also suffered a paralyzing spinal injury in shallow water, when he was 17 in 1996. His powerful story of overcoming this huge setback to his professional and personal life is one of the most inspiring ones I personally know. He has been a trailblazer for adaptive surfing, with his not-for-profit “Life Rolls On.” http://www.liferollson.org. My hopes and prayers are that COLLIN will have a similar brave story to tell!
Praying for him and sharing his fundraiser.
Heart wrenching. Beautiful, young man. You are in my prayers.
Charles Krauthammer jumped into a pool after tennis at Harvard Medical. He was paralyzed. He went on to have a BRILLIANT career!