By Kevin Connelly

kconnelly@vindy.com

HUBBARD

Colin Burdette has no recollection of what happened Sept. 20 and his mother, Molly, is just fine with that.

The Hubbard High School sophomore is back home after spending 10 days in the Akron Children’s Hospital, where he was treated for numerous injuries stemming from a four-wheeler accident.

“Nothing like your own bed and recliner to cheer a kid up,” Molly Burdette said on Thursday.

The Burdettes have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for Colin while he recovers from his injuries. He got a chance to thank some of those people in person when he stopped by Hubbard High School on Tuesday.

A handful of teammates, along with the school’s faculty and staff, were there to greet him.

“I was pretty shocked to see him in school,” said Hubbard athletic director Chuck Montgomery. “I think he just wanted to get out of the house.

“He was happy to see everybody and we were happy to see him.”

The last two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for the Burdette family. After learning of the accident, which also involved Collin’s friend and teammate Nick Wells, the Burdettes rushed to Akron to be by his side.

“I try to never cry in front of Colin,” Molly said. “Once we knew he was going to be OK, we really weren’t that emotional and the hard part was over.

“The doctors were really straightforward with us in updating his condition, so that was really good.”

During his stay in the hospital, Burdette received flowers, balloons, phone calls, videos and over 500 e-cards from his closest friends and even from people he’s never met.

“Seeing all the support is what got me through it,” Molly said. “Every day he’s reading [the e-cards] and can’t believe that people who don’t even know him are pulling for him.

“It just goes to show you people do care.”

Burdette broke 25 bones in his face and both of his arms. He fractured his left humerus, which is now in a splint, and had to get a cast on his right wrist. He also suffered a level-four spleen laceration and a concussion in the crash.

Molly said the doctors are worried about Colin’s spleen, but they’re all just taking it one day at a time.