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The Fraser family spent spring break in a Mexican hospital after their 18-year-old son was severely injured while surfing.

Facing a language barrier and foreign medical system, the Frasers want to prevent other families from going through what they went through.

Chris and Mike Fraser traveled to Mexico with their three sons and other students and parents from Blue Valley High School. But spring break was cut short when 18-year-old Alex, a record-breaking swimmer at Blue Valley High School, was wave surfing and hit one wave the wrong way and injured his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Alex had to have surgery within hours of his spinal cord injury and the hospital needed $34,000. Until the insurance kicked in, Mike Fraser used a credit card.

The doctors won't say how much Alex will improve, but being a star athlete, Alex is determined. Prior to the accident, just one month before, Alex broke the Blue Valley breast stroke record.

The Frasers now want to use this experience to educate other families who travel abroad.

"Know how the system works in the location you are going to," they said. "He ended up getting good medical care, but it was frightful to go through the process."

The family will leave Wednesday for a top rehab facility in Denver. Members of their Blue Valley community have set up a caring bridge and an Indiegogo account to help them with future rehab costs for Alex.

Fore those interested in donating toward Alex's medical expense, checks may be made payable to Alex Fraser Special Needs Trust Fund and sent to:

Country Club Bank

9400 Mission Road

Shawnee Mission, Kan. 66206

St. Thomas More Church

11822 Holmes Road

Kansas City Mo. 64131

Online donations may be made to the Indiegogo account.