PEABODY — Former Peabody High student-athlete Cameron Connolly (’24) suffered a traumatic injury after falling Sunday, Dec. 7. The Bridgewater State University baseball pitcher was rushed to Boston Medical Center and had emergency spinal surgery.
Connolly is paralyzed from the waist down. The injury didn’t affect his head or upper body.
“He’s in a good frame of mind,” said his father and Lynn native Kevin Connolly. “His main goal now is to walk again and no one’s going to tell him otherwise. . . . No injury to his head, thankfully. He’s very positive and has put the accident behind him, realizing it’s not going to help him.”
Since Thursday, Dec. 11, Connolly has been at Spaulding Rehabilitation and “working hard to walk again,” according to a GoFundMe page named “Cameron Connolly’s Road to Recovery,” which raised nearly $40,000 ($50,000 goal) as of Friday afternoon.
“This facility is top-notch and we’ve only been here two days,” Kevin Connolly said. “I don’t know what words you can use to describe . . . the outpouring of support, the kind words, phone calls. It’s just been unbelievable.”
The story was featured on the Greg Hill Show (WEEI 93.7 FM) last Friday. The Greg Hill Foundation raised more than $4,000 in less than 24 hours. Through the Jack Trottier Foundation, it will match all donations up to $10,000, according to its website.
Connolly, who played baseball and basketball at Peabody High, is a former Daily Item All-Star and Northeastern Conference Player of the Year on the diamond. He recorded a 1.39 ERA during his senior season.
“We are praying he improves with time, healing, and rehab,” said Peabody High baseball coach Mark Bettencourt.
“The Bridgewater baseball, Peabody, and Lynn communities have been unreal,” Kevin Connolly said.
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/0c6da580f
Greg Hill Foundation: https://www.thegreghillfoundation.org/beneficiary-connolly/
