12-Year-Old In Coma After School Beating

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Bullying affects people of all ages. In schools, this problem seems to be particularly predominant these days. Young children experience the painful effects of bullying and it’s time that we encourage others to stand up against it.

Many schools have zero tolerance policies for bullying, but Henry Sembdner’s story shows that this is not always the case.

Henry, who is12 years old, was walking down the school hallway at Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin, Ill., when he accidentally bumped into another student. The other student violently threw Henry to the ground.

Henry took a severe beating whereby his face suffered multiple fractures and his brain began bleeding. He was put in a medically induced coma as the risks associated with brain swelling were so great.

The school community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Henry. Knowing that Henry is a Chicago Cubs fan, his classmates have shown up to school wearing Cubs gear in his honor.

Henry’s story even struck with Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman, who tweeted an invitation to Henry, to join him at Wrigley Field during batting practice and a game.

People have been posting encouraging messages for Henry with the hashtag “#HenryStrong”. Thankfully Henry awoke from his coma and has even been pictured with a smile on his face now that he is home.

In a blog post, Henry’s mother, Karen Sembdner, wrote “Over the next couple days we will be scheduling follow up visits with 10 different doctors and rest. We are hopeful that we will not have any backslides and will continue to post as the recovery journey unveils.”

Rizzo also tweeted another message for Henry. He wrote, “Glad you are home Buddy. Keep staying #HenryStrong. See you at Wrigley this summer.”

 

His Mom said that one of the first phrases he uttered was: “I’m hungry!” Although that may be a common phrase many mothers hear, it was a wonderful moment for Sembdner.

6 Comments

  1. Sharon Kevin Flanagan

    February 10, 2017 at 11:04 pm

    well I hope that the offender is under going anger management & been charged with attempted murder,he will do it again if not dealt with now.

  2. Karen Zecha

    February 11, 2017 at 12:01 am

    This is a tough one what do you say about this when you have children at this young age hurting each other the school and the parents they have to step in and somehow figure out why why someone would go out of their way to harm somebody in such a degree that they end up being put into a coma love sent to all from Canada.

  3. Hana Hana

    February 11, 2017 at 4:06 am

    Ive seen a kid being beaten by 3 other kids one of them lifted him up and knocked him on the ground he wasn’t able to stand up from pain in his back. I was terrified I run to check on him. I was surprised that none of other parents really cared. When I tried to get their help they just commented on how the main bully was having a temper and didn’t react. It was really strange.

  4. Gila Kropf Cohen

    February 11, 2017 at 7:08 am

    Bullying lasts much longer, into Adulthood and must be uprooted from the beginning. However, neither school admin. nor parents if bullies do enough.

  5. Marcia Martin

    February 11, 2017 at 8:37 am

    praying for his physical and emotional recovery.

  6. Berna Cardenas

    February 11, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Get well soon beautiful boy!!!! And a huuuuge hug to your mom! I cannot begin to imagine her pain of seeing you go through this.

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