Two years later: Grant Milton a miracle in the eyes of friends, family

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Nov. 26 marked the two-year anniversary of Grant Milton's devastating injury on a football field in Waco.

The Woodlands High School football player suffered a traumatic brain injury during a regional playoff game against Austin Bowie.

Grant's uncle, Blake Milton of Dallas, said that while there is no absolute certainty at this point as to what exactly caused the trauma, a review of the footage seems to show an incident in the 4th quarter of the game, when Grant took a fall in the end zone, hitting the back of his head a few minutes before he lapsed into unconsciousness on the sidelines and was immediately rushed to Baylor Scott White hospital a few miles away, where the doctors and medical staff performed an emergency life saving surgery.

"Grant's injury was so traumatic that he was not expected to survive the night," said Grant's father Miles Milton in a Nov. 24, 2018 CaringBridge post. "By God's grace, he beat the odds and did survive. You see, it is a Thanksgiving story after all."

Grant, who turned 20 on Aug. 3, 2018, is currently at an assisted living facility in Oak Ridge. He is not able to speak and is a quadriplegic. Grant's mother Patty Milton said he requires repetition and consistency, which he's currently receiving through assisted-living homecare and outpatient therapy sessions at TIRR Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center.

"We're at a phase where this is how it is, and that's ok because we will all adapt," Patty said. "Life for Grant is just a little different, and we will find different ways to accomplish some of the same things."

Case in point is Grant's continued therapy with Tobii, a system that utilizes gaze technology. Grant is learning to communicate through his eyes, just as a computer user uses a mouse to navigate a computer screen.

"He seems to be doing well," Patty said. "It gives him independence to communicate through his eyes. We're really excited about that."

While Grant is currently using his eyes to communicate, Uncle Blake hopes Grant's nose will one day come into play.

"I always used to joke with him and constantly make him laugh," Blake said. "The famous one was when he spewed milk out of his nose because of something I said. I still look forward to the possibility of the potential to hear his laugh again."

"I'm just thankful for each day with him," Patty said. "I know Grant is thankful for prayers and support. It's overwhelming, in a good way. The support and the kind words every day, it really helps keep us going."