If one were to take an objective look, not much has changed over the course of the past few weeks at the MISD stadium. The same school spirit-filled students cheer from the bleachers. The same coaches stand on the sidelines, roaring with shouts of both disapproval and satisfaction. The same band rests their instruments in the center of the field when half-time rolls around. Everything appears to be just as it’s always been.

But those who care enough to take a closer look will notice just how different home games have become. The music is a little quieter. The cheers are a little less enthusiastic. The Friday night lights don’t shine quite as bright. But most notably, Kolton May, star defensive lineman who belongs below on the field sits among the rest of the crowd as the players below him lead the Jaguars to victory.

After suffering complications due to what was supposed to be a simple surgery, Kolton May (11) has worked to achieve a complete and speedy recovery. His health has progressed exponentially in the past few weeks and each day new improvements are being made. Answers and diagnoses have recently come to light, so May’s loved ones are relieved to get answers after months of feeling left in the dark.

“He was supposed to be at inpatient for around 4 weeks, but then he just did so well the first 3 days that they just said ‘You don’t really need to be here at all,’” May’s girlfriend Eleanor Stransom (11) said. “So then he got sent home.”

May’s coaches are proud of the advancements they’ve noticed in his health. 

“From the last time I saw him, I thought he was more responsive verbally,” football coach, Eric Edwards said. “His position group has a group chat and he was responding last week.”

While diagnoses have been given, some questions still currently remain a mystery.

“They diagnosed him with Aphasia, which is what’s wrong with his language,” Stransom said. “We know he has central nervous system vasculitis, which is such a specific type he’s like point-something in a million as the chance of getting that, but we still don’t know if he had strokes as well.”

Although May’s friends find his recent improvements to be encouraging, they still struggle to adjust to this new reality.

“It has been hard not seeing him every day where our friend group usually meets after a class,” May’s close friend Cade Carrasco (10) said. “When he comes back it should be a major relief.”

May’s teammates are feeling his absence now more than ever.

“Obviously he’s a very good football player,” Edwards said. “What he brings to the team off the field is as valuable as he is on the field.”

May is currently going to rehab every day at Baylor Scott and White, and his friends are beginning to anticipate his return to school.

“Things can’t ever be just as it was after something like this, but I’m excited for him mobility-wise to be just as he was,” Stransom said. 

A few weeks ago, May’s situation appeared bleak to those close to him. His quick turnaround has inspired his loved ones.

“It has been amazing to see how fast he is recovering,” Carrasco said. “All of his friends are beyond proud of his work.”

Despite the pain, uncertainty, and fear this experience has caused, May’s peers choose to take away something positive from it.

“All we’re looking for is one percent improvement every day,” Stransom said. “There’s going to be setbacks and bad days and good days, but the fact that he’s gotten so much better in such a short amount of time, especially when we were told that he wouldn’t, is really incredible to be a part of.”

To read more about what happened to Kolton and how much he has progressed, click here: https://theroarhhs.com/3374/news/bear-hug/