ST. CHARLES -- A Mid-Michigan family is rebuilding their lives after their oldest son almost drowned a few months ago.
They say he was on the brink of death, when something miraculous happened.
16-year-old George Silvernaile has overcome so much in his short life-time.
Even though he has a brain deformity, he horses around with his family like most kids his age.
"He's a social butterfly is what he is," said Little George’s father, George Silvernaile.
But last November, George’s world turned upside down.
While taking swimming lessons, lifeguards found him under nine feet of water.
“He was blue, bleeding from the nose, and basically lifeless,” said George’s mother, Amanda Silvernaile
For 20 hours George had no brain activity, doctors said his organs were failing, and if he did survive...
“They thought he would need a feeding tube, breathing apparatus, and that he may never walk,” said Amanda Silvernaile.
Word of George spread fast, the Silvernaile's friends who are members of the Saginaw Police Department's Blue Knights rushed to the hospital.
“You see this kid, he's such a happy-go-lucky kid, and I couldn't even go in the room,” said Michael Jarabek, who is a friend of the family.
The decision of whether to keep George on life support was only hours away, when his family decided to pray.
“We held hands, stood up, and said a very emotional prayer,” said Amanda.
15 minutes later...
“I touched his forehead, and I called his name, and his eyes opened, and I felt like I had just seen a miracle,” said George.
“He recognized me, and then you knew it was going to be all right,” said Jarabek.
Now George is almost back to his old self. His family says they’re in awe of his quick recovery.
“It brought our family closer together, it brought to the forefront that what we have as a family is so fragile,” said George.
This family knows what it means to make every second count.
A spaghetti dinner is being held Friday, January 14, to help raise money for George’s medical expenses.
It takes place at the Pulaski Hall on Weiss Street in Saginaw from noon to 8 pm.
