Video: Paralyzed West Brook student gives thanks for support

Photo shows aftermath of a car wreck involving four West Brook High School football players. Photo shows aftermath of a car wreck involving four West Brook High School football players. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close Video: Paralyzed West Brook student gives thanks for support 1 / 10 Back to Gallery

In a late Thursday night Twitter post by Abdel Qaiyyim,a senior at Beaumont United, shared a 33 second video message of Noah Washington expressing his appreciation for all the support, prayers and donations that have poured in since he was injured in a car accident this past Saturday.

Washington, 17, was one of four West Brook students in the car during Saturday’s crash in the 8300 block of Brooks Road at South Major Drive in Beaumont. According to the GoFundMe page setup to raise money for his medical expenses, Washington’s spine was “completely disconnected,” resulting in paralysis from the chest down. It also said he suffered bleeding in his brain, a broken nose and the loss of one of his ears. West Brook football coach Eric Peevey said on Tuesday these details were accurate.

In the video, which was accompanied by the #NoahStrong, Washington can be seen moving his right arm while delivering his thank you message from his hospital bed.

“I just want to thank y’all. Everybody who been donating to my GoFundMe’s and whatever, I appreciate it so much and I love all y’all. Just keep me in y’all’s prayers,” Washington said. “Without y’all, I wouldn’t be the person who I am today. I’m changing my life around. Y’all need to do the same.”

During his Facetime with Qaiyyim, Washington didn’t share a health update but let his friend know that “he’s doing just fine.”

> > RELATED: Community helps support paralyzed West Brook teen

“For me, I was just happy to hear his voice again,” Qaiyyim said. “He is doing pretty good. He is in great spirits and stated that he just wants prayers and still has hope of walking.”

Qaiyyim posted the video at his freind’s request, and also stated that Washington was going through therapy.

Washington’s GoFundMe donation page, “Noah’s Knights,” has raised nearly $40,000 over the past three days. The Sunday after the accident, West Brook junior quarterback Braden Sheldon and Carrie Zihlman, the wife of West Brook quarterback coach Kurt Zihlman, organized a prayer service at the the school’s football stadium to show support for Washington and the other three students involved in the crash.

The other three West Brook students involved in the crash, Ja’kobi Holland, Raybren Morris and Thaddeus Johnson, remain fresh on the minds of their classmates and supporters. Thursday afternoon, West Brook head coach stated that Holland, Morris and Johnson are recovering well and that everyone was still praying for Washington.

Aa-Dontae Coleman, a senior defensive back for the Bruins, told The Enterprise that the 2019 season would be dedicated to their fellow classmates.

“We’re a close-knit group. We’re all brothers. All of us were at the hospital checking on our brothers when we learned they were OK,” Coleman said. “We’re still praying for Noah, but we’re going to fight through. We’re going to do it for them. This season is for them.”

thomas.scott@beaumontenterprise.com