Home | Back

Crestwood rallies for athlete: Samantha Lough in intensive care following stroke

Share_print Print Story    |    Comments    |   

Heather Condley Rainone
March 19, 2010

 

By Heather Condley Rainone

Record-Courier managing editor

The Crestwood community is rallying around Samantha Lough, a high school senior and standout athlete who is in intensive care at Akron Children’s Hospital recovering from a stroke.

Samantha, 17, is the daughter of Dan and Tiffany Lough of Mantua. In addition to being a pitcher in softball, she also plays volleyball, soccer, basketball and is a member of the swimming team. 

Her aunt, Tonya (Lange) Thompson, said Samantha wasn’t feeling well when she woke up Monday morning. 

“Her mom went to get her a Gatorade when she heard a big thud. She found her unconscious on the floor,” Thompson said.

Samantha was taken to Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna where a CAT Scan showed she had a mini-stroke. She was transported to Akron Children’s to see a specialist. It was there that she had a second, more serious stroke.

Doctors found a blood clot in her middle cerebral artery on the right side of her brain. Thompson said they don’t yet know what caused it.

Samantha is sedated on a ventilator and her body temperature has been lowered to give her brain a rest, her aunt said.

In the meantime, the family, including Samantha’s older brother Daniel and younger sister, Taylor, 10, a student at Crestwood Intermediate School, have been receiving support from the community.

“The support (Samantha) has gotten has been wonderful, from friends and coaches ...” Thompson said. Even Taylor’s teachers have stopped by to visit to cheer her up.

“Samantha is a wonderful young lady,” said Crestwood High School Principal Arden Sommers. “She’s involved in so many things in the school, not just sports, but in all aspects of the school. She’s a fine student and a fine, principled young lady. We’re just taking the attitude that Sam will be great.”

Samantha, who will turn 18 on March 27, is planning to attend Capital University in Columbus in the fall, where she is set to play softball.

A fund has been set up at Middlefield Bank to help the family. Donations in Samantha’s name can be made at any branch.

 




Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Recordpub.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.

Login above or Register to comment.
Jump to Page: 1 2
   Next 10 Comments of 18 Total Comments    Next 10 Comments | Home | Back