In sports, the number on an athlete’s back is often just a label. But in the fight for survival, sometimes those numbers become a divine message from destiny. For the Strickland family and the Daphne baseball community, the number 25 is no longer just a jersey number—it has become the symbol of a real-life “Christmas Miracle.”
8 Weeks on the Fragile Edge It has been eight weeks since the devastating accident in Auburn, Alabama—eight weeks where time seemed to stand still for everyone who loves Cleighton. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) pushed the former Daphne baseball star into a semi-conscious state, a “grey zone” of uncertainty where even medicine holds its breath. From the bright lights of the diamond to the sterile ICU halls of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Cleighton’s journey has been an agonizing test. But in the darkness, the light of hope never flickered.
A Divine Coincidence: Room 25-5 On Christmas Eve, something extraordinary happened. Cleighton was moved out of the ICU to a recovery room. When his mother, Amy, saw the room number, she was overcome with emotion: Room 25-5. To a ballplayer, 25 is their identity and pride. Being moved to a room with his lucky number on Christmas Eve felt like a message from the universe: “Cleighton’s game isn’t over. The extra innings of life have begun, and he’s leading the way.”
The Strides of a Champion A player’s strength isn’t just in their muscles; it’s in an unyielding will. Cleighton is proving this daily with milestones that have left doctors in awe:
- Breathing Free: He is completely off the ventilator. Taking in the air with his own lungs is the first and most vital victory.
- Standing Tall: Just a day after Christmas, Cleighton had his first rehab session in the gym. With assistance, he stood on the same feet that once rounded the bases.
- A Taste of Life: Chewing ice—a simple act—is a giant leap in recovering his reflexes and awareness.
Currently, a speech valve has been placed on his trach. His family, friends, and thousands of supporters are now waiting for one single sound: The sound of his voice.
The Power of Love: Mary Claire and Family They say love heals wounds that medicine cannot touch. Looking at the photos, it’s impossible not to be moved by Mary Claire, Cleighton’s girlfriend. For eight weeks, she hasn’t left his side. She held his hand in the coma, whispered stories as he began to wake, and was the first to smile when he moved his legs. Her loyalty and Amy’s devotion are the “support team” giving Cleighton the fuel to fight this beast.
An Invitation to Hope The game is still long. There are days of rehab and medications ahead. But after this Christmas miracle, we have every reason to believe in a happy ending. Cleighton is fighting to prove that faith and perseverance can turn the tide of any situation.
