Dad Of High School Senior, Amputee Speaks Out

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio—A senior at Upper Arlington High School has faced a battle with necrotizing fasciitis—a flesh-eating bacteria.

As captain of the Upper Arlington rowing team, Blake Haxton was in prime athletic shape and in an instant, it all changed.

Haxton, 18, visited his doctor in March for a sore calf muscle.

“Blake’s not going to come complaining about a pulled muscle. That’s not what this is, and he figured that out pretty quick,“ said Steve Haxton, Blake’s father.

Blake immediately went to the hospital and he eventually learned that necrotizing fasciitis was quickly and violently attacking his body.

“He was given basically no chance at that point, but they kept saying one thing. He’s young and he’s strong,“ Steve Haxton said.

That strength is exactly what likely saved Blake.

“We kind of believe that God didn’t give him a challenge without giving him a tool box and all the preparation of his athletic career and the cardiovascular shape that he was in, it really had a big thing with saving his life,“ Steve said.

Both of his legs were amputated as a result of the infection and he still has a long road of therapy ahead.

He is still hospitalized and his father shares updates on the caring bridge Web site, where messages of support are posted.

“You think about those things and you think how inspiring they are to you and you realize a whole lot of people are cheering for your kid. You think, you know, ‘I can get up and go back there one more day,‘“ Steve said.

A walk-a-thon to raise money for Blake’s medical needs and to raise awareness of necrotizing fasciitis is scheduled for Saturday. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Upper Arlington Athletic Field.

For more information, visit http://www.blakescrew.org

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