Local teen injured in weekend hockey game posts update to social media

WORCESTER, Mass. — Jake Thibeault, the 18-year-old Milton Academy student who was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from the waist down following an injury during a weekend hockey game, posted an update to Instagram about his condition.

“First off I wanna take the time to thank every single person that has reached out. I’m going to fight this fight like hell,” Thibeault’s post said, in part. “Today I was able to sit up with the support of the wonderful health care team here at Worcester. The road is going to be long but because of each and every one of you it makes it a little bit easier.”

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Jake’s family said they’re not giving up hope that he’ll make a full recovery, and they’re thankful for all the support, especially from his school. His dad said the head of Milton Academy already visited Jake in the hospital when we first spoke to him on Monday.

“When he asked Jake how he’s doing, Jake said it’s just a bump in the road, which is a testament to his character,” Mike Thibeault said.

Friends of the family set up this GoFundMe for Jake to help with medical costs. The 18-year-old Milton Academy student is now recovering at UMass Memorial Hospital.

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