15-year-old Wheaton boy suffers rare spinal stroke, fighting to walk again

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A couple of months ago, a 15-year-old boy from Wheaton was a healthy high school athlete looking forward to summer. Now, he's recovering after an incredibly rare stroke left him paralyzed.

Wesley Freeman is fighting to walk again.

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It's been about 10 weeks since Wesley Freeman suffered the stroke that dramatically chances his and his family's lives. Doctors still don't know what caused that incredibly rare stroke, but Wesley is now focused on the future.

While most of his friends are out enjoying their summer break, the teen is working hard in rehab trying to recover some movement after being paralyzed when he suffered a stroke in March. Therapists and doctors at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago are working with Freeman around the clock to help him reach his goals.

"I want to be able to walk," he said. "Walking is kind of important to me."

Freeman was a talented golfer who recently got his first hole-in-one. He was looking forward to playing on the varsity team at his high school next season.

He was at a golf lesson when he started feeling numbness. He suffered what he later learned was a stroke. Despite multiple MRIs and cat scans doctors have been unable to find the cause.

Now, many of his friends and teammates are visiting him regularly in the hospital, and the community has rallied around fundraising efforts on his behalf with the slogan "Win Fore Wes." It's been overwhelming for his family.

"It feels like an envelope of love just wrapped around us," his mother Rosemarie Freeman said.

His room is filled with pictures of friends and family and memories of happy times. His mother has created a win board in his room to document his progress.

Matt Freeman/Father tc 19:12

"We're just celebrating every little thing because those things add up," his father Matt Freeman said.

And his dad has vowed not to shave until he is released from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. For his part, Wesley says he's trying to maintain a positive attitude because his mental state plays an important role is recovery, but he has his moments.

"I do feel sorry for myself, but I try to hide it, try to stay positive," Wesley Freeman said.

Wesley was able to finish up his sophomore year of high school studies. He's planning on returning in the fall for his junior year at Wheaton North High School. The family is still trying to figure out what that will look like.