Even though they’re competing on the field, teams across Sequoyah County are coming together to support 16-year-old Christian Mayberry of Muldrow, Oklahoma.
Mayberry has been in intensive care at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa after an ATV accident in early September.
As he recovers, students aren’t just competing, they’re also uniting in his honor. That was demonstrated last Friday as the Muldrow Bulldogs took on the Vian Wolverines. Vian’s faculty and staff wore a red “75” (Mayberry’s jersey number) on their cheeks to show support. Although from a completely different school district, they chose to put the game aside and focus on what’s most important, Mayberry’s return.
The faculty and staff weren’t alone in their support, Vian’s cheerleaders also wore ribbons in their hair with Mayberry’s jersey number, and others in the crowd sported his initials painted upon their cheeks. But perhaps the most incredible display of support came after the game when both Muldrow and Vian football players kneeled together on the field and said a prayer for Christian.
The outpouring of love and support is coming across the entire area. In Liberty, Oklahoma Aaron Lindsey, the 13-year-old, 8th grade Captain of the Liberty Eagles football team played in Mayberry’s honor and plans to continue to do so until Mayberry has recovered and is back on the field. He says he’s looking forward to getting the chance to play with Mayberry his freshman year. Lindsey painted Isaiah 53:5 on his cheek as he prays for his return.
Isaiah 53:5 reads, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Support for Mayberry has taken a stronghold on social networks where numerous posts are being added each day to the “Pray for Mayberry” facebook page. On Twitter the hashtag #PrayForMayberry is filled with students expressing their love and support. Students across the area are constantly retweeting the quote, “Wake-up Christian!”
The teen’s recovery is a gradual process, but his family is seeing hope. Mayberry opened up his eyes for the first time last Thursday and was taken off a ventilator over the weekend. He has still been unable to speak, but has made eye contact with family and friends who have come to visit him. He will be moved to The Children’s Center in Bethany, Oklahoma later this week where he will continue his recovery.
His family is extremely appreciative of all of the love they’ve gotten.
Mayberry’s sister, Mia Nuttle, posted on Twitter Sunday, “I continue to be in awe of all the love and support for our family, it’s truly amazing! So blessed. #prayformayberry.”
An account has been setup at Arvest Bank to support Christian Mayberry’s family. To donate you can submit funds to Account Number 76890202.
