It’s been 10 days since A.J. Quetta was transferred from Massachusetts General Hospital to Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, and exactly one month since he suffered a serious spinal cord injury during a Bishop Feehan hockey game on Jan. 26.
A.J.’s father, Anthony, joined The Greg Hill Show on Friday morning and provided an update on how things are going and some of the progress A.J. has made.
“It’s a long process as you know. He’s doing well, fighting hard,” Anthony Quetta said. “He’s trying to get things in order so that he can start his rehab -- his breathing for one. He’s on solid food, which is a good sign. That’s a good step. His breathing, he’s started to wean off the ventilator with, it’s called a DPS [diaphragm pacing system] -- it’s a little shocker that goes into his diaphragm, keeps him breathing. He’s started the process to see how that goes. It’s going to be a long time, a long, long process.”
On Saturday, A.J. appeared on video for the first time, putting out a message of thanks to everyone who has supported him, including his Bishop Feehan teammates.
Anthony said A.J. is fully aware of and very appreciative of all the support, and noted that he didn’t suffer any brain damage and remains the same kid as he was before mentally.
“The great thing about it is that he didn’t lose a bit of his brain,” Anthony said. “He had no brain injury, so he’s the same kid as he was before, just a little different situation. You can see through that video what kind of kid he is. He’s a very grateful person. He really understands what’s going on out there, and he’s really appreciative. And it really motivates him -- motivates him to make progress.”
Anyone wishing to provide financial support for A.J. and his family can do so through a GoFundMe page set up by his family or through The Greg Hill Foundation’s fundraiser.