The family of the Alabama "miracle boy" who fell 60 feet from a cliff in Italy was faced with many challenges in trying to get the teen "proper" care. According to the family, the teen is currently at an Italian hospital living in horrid conditions, and doctors have been refusing to discharge him.
Hayden Hill, 18, was on a trip to Europe with his New Hope High School senior class after graduating in May. He took the near-fatal fall from the cliff while looking for an entrance to a beach near Rome with a friend on June 6, 2024.
Hayden had jumped over a wall, thinking it'd be a way for them to get to the beach faster. Instead, it was a wall to protect people from the cliff. The teen was stranded for an hour before a rescue team arrived and was able to help him. His mother, Sharon Hicks, quickly rushed to Italy to be by his side.
Hayden dislocated his hip, broke his ankle, and suffered a minor head injury, according to his mom. She says the Italian hospital refused to discharge the teen unless a doctor and nurse traveled with him from Italy back to his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.
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Sharon recently shared an update that a nurse from the United States arrived in Italy on June 13, 2024, and is helping bring Hayden home. His road to recovery, however, doesn't end once he returns home. He will still have to undergo several surgeries.
“We’re at a crossroads, you know with socialized healthcare, it’s Italy," Sharon said. "They have a lot of ways they want to do things and to meet that up with what United States insurance allows, there was no compromising and we were stuck."
She went on to thank the Alabama legislators who worked with the American Embassy in Rome in order to get the teen discharged. Representative Dale Strong and Senator Tommy Tuberville expressed their concern over Hayden’s circumstances, and are doing everything they can to help. “Without the embassy’s help in kind of getting in the middle and saying we’re going to come to some agreement because this kid’s gotta get out and we have a ticking clock,” Sharon said.
Many have gathered around in support of the teen. His high school soccer team shared a supporting message to their Facebook page. "NHHS Soccer asks the Indian community to keep one of our players lifted in prayer!" it read. "Hayden had a terrible accident abroad in Italy. The tribe is certainly praying for his safe return home and speedy recovery! Let's all send Hayden and his family some good vibes! #nhhssoccer #indianpride"
"Hugs and well wishes for a speedy recovery Hayden! We are all thinking and praying over you and your family!❤️⚽️," one person commented.
"Sending prayers from Ardmore High School Soccer," someone from another soccer team wrote.
Hannah Hill, Hayden's sister, says the outpouring of support from the community has been wonderful. "There's like so much support and so much help, and I know people say New Hope is like a small little town. They don’t get enough credit, but it's been amazing.”
