LSU assistant cheer coach Chico Garcia was in devastating boating accident
By Lisa D. Welsh
www.CHEERMaD.com
Sometimes the CHEERMaD world isn’t very cheery.
Especially when children are hurting.
As reported in CHEERMaD (Allstar Needs a Miracle; July 21) , Alyssa Loschiavo, 14, of West Seneca, NY was crossing a four-lane highway when a van hit her. She suffered severe head and upper body injuries and has been unresponsive since the accident. It’s been a rough few months; yesterday’s update from her family states she is recovering from pneumonia but has been stable for more than 72 hours:
“Doctors as well as her family are very happy with the way she looks. Her parents put her in her wheelchair and took her outside a few times for some sun and she loved it. She is still unconscious but her realm of awareness is ever-changing and we still wait and pray for her.” ~prayforalyssa.com
Sadly, another CHEERMaD is experiencing similar agony as Chico Garcia, assistant cheer coach at Louisiana State University, is in critical condition following a boating accident this weekend.
Chico Garcia, Center
From Mrs Sue:
My son, Chico was in a terrible boating accident yesterday along with 2 other adult friends and their two kids. While they were cut off by another unknown boater (sic), Jack swerved to not hit the other boat and ran into the dock. Chico had to be airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. He is in ICU.
Chico has suffered a traumatic dislocation in his neck vertebrae causing a significant complete spinal cord injury. He is currently alert, stable, and the same old Chico. Unfortunately, he has no feeling or movement from the neck down. He is in the ICU and currently put under cervical traction to realign the vertebrae. He has also had a tube inserted to help decompress the abdomen.
Scene of the boating accident involving Chico Garcia
Chico was able to rest well throughout the night. He is still under cervical traction and awaiting the XRay (sic) results from this morning to determine if the vertebrae have realigned themselves. If so, he will likely undergo surgery sometime today to surgical fix/fuse the vertebrae into place, in order to stabilize his neck. He is still unable to feel/move below his neck but in good spirits!!!
Only time will tell! He wanted me to tell everyone thanks for the prayers and he loves you all!
A website for updates on Chico Garcia’s condition is www.cheeringforchico.com.
Also, Louisiana State University has established an auction and fund to help defray medical costs at http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205252080&DB_OEM_ID=5200
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www.cheeringforchico.com
Here is the account of the accident as reported by television station WAFB in St. Amant, Louisiana :
A family of four and a LSU cheer coach were involved in a boating accident Saturday evening.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said the five people, including cheer coach Chico Garcia, were on the Diversion Canal near the Amite River when their boat crashed around 7 p.m.
LDWF agents said the 19-foot Bayliner boat hit a private pier near the Tiki Hut.
The boat was totaled.
Two people were released from the hospital, while Garcia and two children – 12 and 15 years old – are still in the hospital.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
I didn’t know Chico but I hope he can someday soon walk again. My uncle was told he would never walk again after being stabbed on his spine. He was determined and now he walks with a slight limp but you wouldn’t realize it unless you grew up with him. I am praying for Chico to get better, because since the accident I have heard wonderful stories about him and I hope this UCA cheerleader/LSU assistant cheer coach receives the help he needs to walk again.