Palo Duro senior football player has feeling in legs and feet for the first time since accident

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Aaren Woods, a Palo Duro high school student who plays defense for the Dons football team, was taken from Dick Bivins Stadium in an ambulance during their home game against Wichita Falls Legacy on Friday.

Palo Duro senior, Aaren Woods.(GoFundMe)

Denise Harley, the organizer of the GoFundMe page for Aaren, said Saturday: “As of now, he cannot move (his) arms or legs. He has some feeling in his hands and arms, but still no feeling in his legs or feet.”

Harley also said Woods was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery to drain fluid from his spine.

Early Sunday morning, Woods’ mother, Joannie Ransom, posted an update about it Facebook with this message:

“Aaren still has a lot of swelling, but around 6:20 a.m. Aaren asked me to rub his neck, and as I started too, he said to me, “Mommy, I feel that in my toes.” I asked him if you are sure, he says “yes ma’am, I feel that in my toes” so the nurse sits up and asks him if he feels her grabbing his toes. He says “yes ma’am”. We look at each other and she does it with the right foot. She asked him: Which foot do I take and Aaren says “the right foot”. Yes, I know this is really small, but I just burst into tears. Aaren had not felt anything in his legs or feet since the accident. Keep the prayers coming.”

Eric Mims, Sr., head coach of the Palo Duro Dons football team, described Woods as “one of the funniest guys on the team.”

Mims Sr. also said: “He always has a smile on his face and joy in his heart. He has the heart of a servant and enjoys helping others.”

This is the link to Aaren’s GoFundMe.