🙏 A Christmas Miracle: Cleighton Strickland Moves Out of ICU and Into Rehab
It’s been eight long, incredibly tough weeks since the horrific accident in Auburn, AL. Cleighton Strickland, the former Daphne baseball player, suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him in a semi-conscious state.
For the past several weeks, Cleighton has been receiving specialized care at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. His family and girlfriend have remained steadfastly by his side throughout this difficult journey.
Cleighton’s dedicated mother, Amy, shared a phenomenal, hopeful update this week. The family has received some truly good news that marks a massive step forward in his challenging recovery.
🌟 Out of ICU, Into Rehab
“Shepherd’s moved Cleighton out of ICU on Dec 24th,” Amy reported joyfully. His new room number is 25-5—a small but meaningful detail: 25 was his baseball number during his playing days.
Cleighton is now completely off the ventilator machine. He is actively moving his legs and successfully completed his very first rehabilitation session in the gym the day right after Christmas.
He was also stood up on his feet with full assistance from the medical staff. This physical progress shows incredible strength and determination in his battle to recover.
He even chewed ice for the first time! These small milestones are absolutely huge indicators of his brain function slowly returning to normal levels.
🗣️ Waiting for His Voice
Cleighton now has a speaker on his trach, and the family is holding their breath. “We are waiting for him to talk!” Amy shared, highlighting the next highly anticipated milestone.
The medical team is focused on carefully managing and straightening out his medication levels. This complex process is vital for encouraging further wakefulness and cognitive clarity.
“Christmas was different, but absolutely better than not having one with him at all.” Amy’s words emphasize the powerful gratitude and hope the family feels, despite the continuing difficulty.
đź«‚ The Power of Support
The Strickland family is still navigating a very difficult time. Cleighton’s girlfriend, Mary Claire, has been an absolute rock, remaining faithfully at his side through this entire, challenging journey.
May our continued encouragement help comfort Cleighton as he fights every day.
May our supportive comments give the family the strength and hope they need to continue pushing forward. This journey is far from over, but every day brings a step toward healing.
