By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Sandy Creek High School wrestler Kerry Ruffin will be moved to Shepherd Spinal Center this week to begin the long road to rehabilitation following a paralyzing neck injury in Saturday's meet.

Doctors are unsure whether he will regain movement in his lower body.

Ruffin, a junior 125-pound wrestler for the Patriots, broke three vertebrae during a wrestling match at the McIntosh Duals.

He was attempting to get out of a move put on by Harrison High School's Peter Ashford when the injury occurred.

It first appeared as though Ruffin had slightly injured his back, but the young wrestler was rushed by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center when it was clear he had injured his neck and could not get up. Ruffin could move his upper body and could feel some sensation in his lower extremities.

Ruffin underwent five hours of surgery Monday where at least one of his broken vertebrae was removed. Typically, the first 48 hours after an injury of this magnitude will predict how much movement will be recovered, but spinal injuries are not an exact science, the surgeons say.

Ruffin, also a football player for Sandy Creek, was praised by both Coach Rodney Walker, his football coach, and Coach Damian Belvedere, his wrestling coach, for his spirit and courage.

Sandy Creek High School plans to start a fund to help Ruffin's family with medical expenses and the community has established a fund at Bank of America in Fayetteville to help out as well. The Georgia High School Association provides “catastrophe” insurance, which takes effect only after the first $25,000 up to $5 million.

Sandy Creek has cancelled its wrestling matches this week.

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