A Blacksburg teen was rushed to the hospital the evening of Jan. 11 after he suffered a head injury while sledding. Now, he’s recovering with the community’s support.
Ashton Hodge, 18, was enjoying the latest snowfall with three friends in the around 11:30 p.m. when his tube caught air and he struck a tree, his mother, Alysia Hodge, said Friday.
Ashton Hodge was injured in a sledding accident the evening of Jan. 11.
“There were two of them on the tube when it happened,” the mother said. “His other friend just grazed his arm, but he was able to medically assess him, and him and another friend carried him to the vehicle and transported him to . Where they were at they had no cellphone service.”
Once they got there, Hodge said medical staff performed a CT scan and found that her son had a skull fracture and a brain bleed. He was in and out of consciousness, so he was transported to in Salem.
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“Ashton’s condition changed after he came here, and they sent him for a second CT, which showed the second bleed,” the mother said. “They had to intubate him.”
The teen was kept in a medically induced coma until Saturday.
“It takes a year for the brain to heal, and it’s going to be a long road for recovery, from ICU, probably to PCU, to rehab, is what we’re being told,” Hodge said. “And we don’t know the extent of his damage yet, what it’s affected. I am hopeful that it’s a successful recovery. Lot of prayers out there.”
On Monday, the teen’s sister, Olivia Howell, launched .
Ashton Hodge lies in a hospital bed Jan. 14, three days after he struck a tree while sledding with friends in the Jefferson National Forest.
“She was hysterical here Sunday night,” Hodge said. “Because she just wants her brother to talk to her. But she’s done better since that first day.”
As of about 5 p.m. Friday, about $3,500 had been raised. Hodge said that her son’s old teachers and classmates at Blacksburg High School are among those who have reached out.
“Everybody has been amazing,” their mother said. “Thank you for all the love, support and prayers. Thank you for all the donations and help. All of it’s going to his medical expenses and his care, while he’s out of work and while he’s being cared for.”
Local church leaders have made bedside visits, too. Hodge said her son was recently baptized at the .
“He’s full of energy,” she said. “He’s the life of the party, very energetic, and he’ll light up the room when you see him. He’s a very happy boy.”
The teen enjoys hunting and fishing, camping and spending time on the lake, Hodge said.
“The only other accident he’s been in is really climbing a tree and jumping out of it and breaking an arm,” she said. “He’s a wild spirit. Free. He’s accident prone. But this is the worst.”
Hodge encourages residents to be aware of their surroundings while enjoying the snow.
“They went sleigh-riding in a forest, where there’s trees and everything’s still frozen,” she said. “Do it safely. Do it in daylight.”
