BOSTON — Dozens of people came out to support a Milton Academy hockey player who was paralyzed from an injury last week.
Katie McCabe organized the fundraiser in Seaport on Sunday for Jake Thibeault.
“I think we live in a world where it’s all bad news and we live in a world where people have no faith and this is a faith building event if anything,” said McCabe.
She says all the money raised here will go to Thibeault and his family.
He suffered a spinal cord injury during a hockey game over Labor Day weekend.
“This could happen to anybody, life is very short, in a minute you could be disabled and paralyzed and you would hope that people would turn out for you and would take the initiative,” said McCabe.
“I was obviously crushed at first, it’s super scary, it’s something you never want to hear about anyone playing the sport, but especially when it’s one of your very close friends,” said Mitch Cassella, a former teammate who came out to support Jake.
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Friends, teammates and even strangers are all rallying behind Jake.
His family says they’re beyond grateful for this support.
“All things considered, his spirits are up and he’s ready to go to war with this thing,” said Drew Thibeault, Jake’s brother.
Drew says his brother just started rehab and is not giving up hope even after doctors told him he’ll likely never walk again.
“I try to be the role model of being a bigger brother and it seems like the roles have switched, he’s more my role model at this point,” said Drew Thibeault.
He says he admires his brother’s strength through this difficult journey and knows with the help of this community, Jake and their family will get through this.
“He’s a fighter, he’s a tough kid, he’s going to find a way out of this and he’s going to be an inspiration to so many people,” said Drew Thibeault.
The Bruins have started a donation fund to support Jake Thibeault. Visit their website to donate to the family by clicking here.
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