Camarillo H.S. Homecoming Prince May Not Walk Again After Pool Accident

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The father of a Camarillo High School junior has a message for parents a month after his son sustained a devastating spinal cord injury in a pool accident.

"Tell your kids you love them. Hug them everyday. Just 'cause you don't know," Brandan Martin, Jake's father, said.

He tells CBS2's Serene Branson that he and his wife received news no parent ever wants to hear: That his youngest had sustained a devastating spinal cord injury.

The accident occurred while the 16-year-old was at a friend's house, and had gone to a community pool.

"I went to go dive into the pool and I just dove into the shallow end and I couldn't move," Jake recalled.

Scans showed a devastating spinal cord injury.

After the accident, Jake had lost feeling in his legs and hands. He is currently at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and may not walk again.

"This is a pretty devastating injury," Dr. Kevan Craig of CHLA said. "At the moment, his spine is shocked. During the shock period, you cannot really tell if the spine is completely injured or not. When the shock period is over, then whatever he has, that's it."

Branson explains that the shock period can last weeks to months. After that, Jake is expected to undergo intense rehabilitation.

"Two! One is bad enough. But, it's going to be difficult," Sharon Martin, Jake's mom, explained, referring to the fact that she is in a wheelchair, as she has Multiple Sclerosis and cannot work or drive.

"Being in a wheelchair myself, there's no words that can describe it," she said. "Take the little things that everyone takes for granted, and appreciate them."

The Martins' though are grateful to the community, who started a GoFundMe page to help with costs.

"In order to get him into a vehicle, it's got to be modified. It's got to be big enough. Even going farther, we have to look at redoing our house," Brandan said.

Meanwhile, classmates recently voted Jake homecoming prince. His crown and sash are expected to be delivered on Saturday.

To find out how you can help the Martins, click here.