Arts & Entertainment
Rebel Fan, Former Student Survives Tragic Accident in Cancun
Greg Smalley and his son, Xander / Photo courtesy Praying for Greg Facebook page
Former Ole Miss student and lifelong Rebel Greg Smalley survived an accident last month that has taken the lives of many.
While body surfing with his 8-year-old son Xander on a family trip to Cancun, Mexico, Greg suffered a devastating neck injury. The wave he was surfing rolled him and slammed him head first into the water. Greg hit his head on the ocean floor, breaking his neck.
Greg and Xander following the accident / Photo courtesy Praying for Greg Facebook page
When he surfaced, Greg couldn’t feel his arms or legs. Xander saw his dad and called for help to get him out of the water, which ultimately saved Greg’s life.
Greg was taken to a local hospital and underwent emergency surgery to fuse his cervical spine at C4, C5 and C6.
Greg has since returned to the U.S., where he is currently receiving treatment at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through rehabilitation, Greg and his family hope that in time, Greg will be healed and will lead a normal life.
To keep friends and family updated on his progress, Greg’s family has set up a Facebook page to provide updates.
Greg’s wife, April, updates the page regularly.
Greg, his wife April, and their son Xander before Greg’s accident Photo courtesy Praying for Greg Facebook page
“We are hopeful that Greg may walk again one day, and would love the added prayers,” said close friend Melissa Stainton Collins. “We also have a webpage that we (his closest friends) created as a way to try to help raise money to offset some of the medical expenses.”
Those wishing to donate to Greg’s cause may do here. Those wishing to keep up with his day-to-day progress may do so by reading Praying for Greg.
Send Greg get-well wishes to this address:
Greg Smalley
C/O Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Rd. NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ABC |
Stephanie Moss
August 5, 2015 at 3:47 pm
There are lots of Ole Miss people in the Atlanta area. We also have an active Alumni group here. Greg and his family should please let us know if we can help in any way! Prayers for a full recovery!!
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh)
August 5, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Praying for you to have a complete recovery. We are originally from Oxford and are Ole Miss fans. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
melody miles
August 6, 2015 at 4:30 am
PRAYERS!! You are at a great place to get well!!
Amy
August 18, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Praying for a speedy recovery. You are at the best place for rehabilitation. My husband went there when he broke his neck. They will teach you everything you need to know and they take very good care of their patients!! Good Luck and May God Bless you and your family