SPOKANE, Wash. \u2014 A former Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy player who broke his neck during a hockey game more than a year ago will achieve his biggest goal when he walks across the stage at his high school graduation.<\/p>\n
Jackson Drum sustained a severe spinal injury when he lost an edge while chasing down a puck and went head-first into the boards. Doctors said most people would not have survived the injury and told him he may never walk again.<\/p>\n
After months of intense physical therapy, Drum is preparing to graduate from his high school in Alexandria, Minnesota.<\/p>\n
“I would say that it was my very first goal when I got injured is when I wanted to walk at graduation,” Drum said. “I knew that I was going to walk again because I always had hope.”<\/p>\n
The Minnesota native was pursuing his hockey dreams in Coeur d’Alene when the accident occurred. He attended school virtually while undergoing physical therapy.<\/p>\n
“It’s kinda like how mentally strong I am to have to deal with it every day,” he said. “It’s a struggle. You know you see everyone else having a lot more fun, and it’s like ‘Oh I have to go to physical therapy.'”<\/p>\n
Drum relied on his support system throughout recovery, including mentors and the hockey community.<\/p>\n
“Mostly just never giving up on myself and like always having hope and all the support from others too,” he said. “The hockey community helped me through a lot. I got to meet a lot of great guys in the NHL too.”<\/p>\n
Now back in his hometown, Drum admits to some nervousness about graduation day.<\/p>\n
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m just terrified of falling.”<\/p>\n
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