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Injured Fairmont wrestler communicating with family, doctors

UPDATE @ 10:25 a.m. Nov. 7

Ahmad Doucet, the Fairmont High School wrestler who suffered a stroke during a practice, is now able to communicate with his family and doctors, a marked improvement in his condition, according to a social media post from his mother.

According to the post, Doucet has been able to answer yes and no questions by looking up or down. He is also using an eye-gaze alphabet board to spell words.

“It has truly been a blessing to be able to communicate with my son after so long,” Doucet’s mother said in the post. “He is able to tell us things that will play a huge part in his further recovery.”

Doucet’s motor skills are also improving, with abilities to shake his head, moving feet and gripping hands, according to the post.

“Ahmad is fighting, and truly believes in his recovery. I know this because he TOLD ME! He is aware of all the prayers, love and support he is receiving. We just can’t say thank you enough, because it’s working,” the post reads.

Doucet’s mother said they are working to move her son to a rehabilitation program closer to home, with the aim of having him return home.

To help the family, donations can be made to the Ahmad Doucet Charitable Fund at any Wright-Patt Credit Union. In addition, you can visit gofundme.com/Ahmaddoucet and donate, or show your support by sending cards and letters to Fairmont High School, Attn: Wrestling / Ahmad Doucet, 3301 Shroyer Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429.

In addition, stories and pictures can be shared with the family by sending them to doucetahmad@gmail.com.

UPDATE @ 12:30 p.m. June 28

Parents of wrestlers at Fairmont High School are inviting the community to an event tonight “to show love and support for Ahmad Doucet and his family.”

A post on the Fairmont Firebirds Wrestling website states that “Love 4 Ahmad” will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Roush Stadium, 3750 Far Hills Ave.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and attendees should enter through the home field gate.

UPDATE @ 12 noon June 26: An update on the condition of Ahmad Doucet was released Friday around 11:30 a.m. on the Kettering Firebirds website. The site posting said the family had consulted with the medical staff caring for Ahmad and wanted to let supporters know the latest on his condition.

“On Sunday 6/21/15, while training with Team Ohio for the Junior National Duals, Ahmad suffered a stroke while actively practicing wrestling techniques. Later that night, Ahmad “coded” and was placed on a ventilator. Since Monday, Ahmad has not been in a medically-induced coma but has not been responsive.”

“The impact of this stroke on Ahmad has been significant. Ahmad has suffered a catastrophic injury to his brain stem that has resulted in severe brain damage. In the short-term, Ahmad is expected to be in the hospital for many weeks. Moving forward will entail an extensive, long-term rehabilitation. Although this is the opinion of the medical staff Ahmad’s family is still holding out hope for a miracle.”

“While Ahmad’s family knows this news is devastating to so many, they greatly appreciate the love and support they have received. They also ask that you continue to pray for Ahmad and their family.”

WAYS TO HELP THE FAMILY (posted on the Kettering Firebirds site)

Charitable Fund

A charitable fund has been established at all Wright-Patt Credit Union locations. Be sure to address your charitable gift to “Ahmad Doucet Charitable Fund.”

Cards/Letters of Support to Ahmad or his family:

Fairmont High School

Attn: Wrestling / Ahmad Doucet

3301 Shroyer Road

Kettering, OH 45429

Virtual Scrapbook (for Ahmad’s Mom):

If anyone has a story or picture to share with the family, we encourage you to send it to doucetahmad@gmail.com

SkyZone Fundraiser:

Friday 6/26/15

976 Senate Drive

Dayton, OH 45459 (Centerville)

This Friday, Sky Zone Dayton will be holding a Fundraising Event for one of our team members who was critically injured while training for the Junior National Dual Wrestling Tournament. Sky Zone Dayton will donate a portion of every jumpers admission (who mentions Ahmad while checking in) to Ahmad and his family. #JUMP4AHMAD

FIRST REPORT:

Doctors placed a Fairmont High School wrestler in a medically induced coma after he reportedly suffered a stroke following an accident in practice.

Ahmad Doucet, 16, who will be a senior next school year, was preparing to compete at the Junior National Duals team tournament in Tulsa, Okla., this week. He was participating in drills Sunday at the Prodigy Training Center in Springboro when he was put in a hold similar to a headlock.

“It pinched something in his neck,” Kamal Gregory, who is Doucet’s stepfather, said Wednesday. “He fell face first onto the mat.”

Doucet was transported to a local hospital. Initially, his family believed he had a concussion.

Doctors later discovered that he actually had a stroke. Doucet is still in a medically induced coma, but he is in stable condition, the family said.

Many of his classmates and teammates visited him in the hospital.

“It is really hard to see him like this,” said Caleb Jarrell, 18, who wrestled with Doucet last school year.

Jarrell said Doucet made himself a better wrestler.

“He improved a lot because he worked so hard,” Jarrell said.

Doucet struggled as a member of the junior varsity team his sophomore year. Last season, he qualified in the varsity state tournament. His family and teammates said he dedicated himself to wrestling, and he tried to help others improve.

“He would beat a kid, and then train with him and teach him what he knows,” said Gregory.

Family members are not blaming anyone.

“It is just a freak accident,” said Gregory. “You know that sports are dangerous, but pray that it doesn’t happen to your kid.”

His classmates are using the hashtag #prayforahmad on Facebook and Twitter to support him. His peers are posting their favorite pictures of him and sharing prayers.

Fairmont officials opened the school doors Wednesday and had counselors on hand for students who wanted to talk about the tragedy.

Doucet’s family said he was considering wrestling at the college level. They believe he had a chance to return to the state tournament next school year as a senior.

Doucet was scheduled to leave with the Ohio Greco-Roman wrestling team for Tulsa on Monday morning. Team members wrestled there Wednesday.

“We left it up to the kids and parents, and they decided the best thing they could do was to go compete for Ahmad,” USA Ohio chair Keith Carter said. “ These are 15- to 18-year-old young men, and they haven’t experienced anything like this, but it is a great group and they are showing way more maturity than a lot of kids their age would.”

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