(KGTV) - A young man who suffered a serious spinal injury while swimming in San Diego earlier this month is preparing to begin the rehabilitation portion of his recovery.
Chris Fatilua, a Madison High School graduate and Cal football recruit, was injured in what was described by family members as an “unfortunate accident” while swimming on June 11.
The 18-year-old committed to the Golden Bears football team earlier this year and was expected to join the program in time for the fall semester.
RELATED: Incoming Cal freshman football player suffers serious injury in San Diego
In a post on a family GoFundMe account, Kailea Fatilua said that his brother “is now ready to begin the intense physical rehabilitation needed for his road to recovery.”
Kailea Fatilua also said that a world-renowned spinal cord injury rehab facility in Denver has accepted his brother into their program.
The family is hoping to raise the necessary funds to send Chris Fatilua to Denver to continue his treatment and recovery. As of June 26, the family has raised $15,956 of their $1 million goal.
LINK: Click here to learn how you can donate
According to high school sports website MaxPreps, the 6’2”, 220-pound linebacker from Madison High was the 51st-ranked high school linebacker in California.
Just last month, Fatilua received the Junior Seau Inspiration Award from the Heart of Champions ministry.
