FRISCO, Texas — Family and friends showed up to a Monday night middle school football game in Frisco. They came in support of #66 who would normally be taking the field along with his teammates before a freak accident changed everything. For Anya Camper, their family, and her son, SJ, the last four months have been very difficult.
“We literally have to take it one moment at a time,” Anya reflects, speaking about the life-altering day on June 20th, when everything changed for their family.
That was the day her 13-year-old son, Semyon Williams Jr., broke his spine and fractured his neck while diving into a pool to escape a swarm of wasps. SJ is now undergoing routine physical therapy to regain movement of his body.
“It’s not hard, it’s different. You actually have to focus on moving your muscles,” SJ explains. He’s already regained movement in his arms and shoulders, with fingers, legs and toes next on his list.
Despite everything, what hasn’t changed is his spirit—or his humor. SJ would’ve been on the field with his middle school team, playing the offensive line for Cobb Middle. Instead, he made a visit to the field and his teammates immediately swarmed him with support and love.
“Even though he’s not on the field, he’s still part of this team,” Allison Sheets shared. She and a group of Cobb Middle moms organized a fundraiser Monday night to help the family with mounting medical bills.
SJ’s road to recovery is a long one, but Monday night was a reminder that he is not alone on that road. Several Frisco families and friends are rooting for him.
Among SJ's supporters is Emmitt Smith, a Cowboys legend and the NFL's all-time leading rush leader. Smith sent SJ this video voicing his support:
“I think this is going to propel him to bigger and better things,” said SJ's grandfather Louis Camper.
“They’re saying he won’t recover, but like I said, we believe God can do anything,” Anya says with unwavering faith.
The family tells WFAA they are thankful for all the support and love they've received from the community. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Camper family.