A teenager let out seven heart-shattering words to his mum when he realised a diving accident had terrifyingly left him paralysed. Amin Noroozi, 17, suffered a severe injury while at a beach in San Francisco, California, with his friends.
The 17-year-old’s life changed after he hit his head and suffered a major spinal injury when he dove into the water at Stinson Beach, but failed to emerge from the coast, on Friday. The teen was desperately airlifted to hospital and his family and friends say he has lost sensation in his legs and arms but his mother also shared the petrified words he told her when he was pulled from the water.
His mum, Ofelia, recalled what her son said and revealed: “He said, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do.'” She shared the heartbreaking words that then left his mouth, adding: “I don’t want to be like this,” according to KTVU.
The mum added: “And I said, ‘Don’t jump to conclusions. Either way we’ll figure it out.'” Ofelia also shared that her son was intubated and remained in the hospital days after the shocking accident.
Amin, a high school American football player, has not been alone in this horror ordeal and his local community have thrown their weight behind him to support his recovery. The teenager’s pals organised bake and food sales at sporting events to raise money for Amin and his family.
His high school pals have also created blue t-shirts that say “Team Amin” which are being sold for $20 each. An Instagram post said: “We’re all in for our Peer. Juniors show up and buy a shirt to support Amin.”
A GoFundMe page was also started to help with the 17-year-old’s medical bills and recovery. Family friend Jane Smith set up the fundraiser and said: “Ofie and the Noroozi family are overwhelmed—in the best way—by the outpouring of love and support from this incredible community.
“From the GoFundMe and meal train, to the Ofie food truck, bake sales, BBQs, and every heartfelt prayer for Amin—your kindness has lifted them in ways words can’t fully express. Ofie feels deeply grateful to be surrounded by so much love.”
The page has raised over £115,000 ($153,000) of their £189,000 ($251,000) target. Smith said: “I just can’t imagine being Ofelia. I just couldn’t imagine being here. I would want somebody to help me in a time of need — when you don’t know what the future is, what the questions are. So I just think it was important to be there for her.”
The principal of Amin’s Acalanes High School, Eric Shawn, said: “I think it’s a testament to the real familial culture we have on our campus and in this community.”
Amin’s friend, Joey Martin, shared how his pals were feeling after the horror accident, saying: “Hanging out with him that’s what we’re missing the most. Like, when we get back to normal and we can just be with him, that’s all we could ask for.”
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