Baseball player who spent time in coma gives back

A freak accident put Austin Shepard, now 17, in a coma when he was ten. Watch the story

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The family of a baseball player who spent two and a half months in a coma is giving back to the charity that helped them through their most difficult times.

Austin Shepard, now 17, was hurt in a freak accident at Little League practice when he was 10.

"A ball from the outfield flew way high up in the air and hit me right here on my head," he said.

The accident sent his parents into a panic.

"I could definitely see there was a big indentation on one side of his head," said Austin's mother, Shelly Shepard. "The neurosurgeon said he should be awake by now and I lost it."

Living 90 minutes away, the family waited some of that time out living at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg.

"I was just blown away by the facility itself, the friendliness of the staff and words just couldn't explain what a relief it was to be staying there," she said.

Seven years later, Austin and his family are giving back. The Shepards donated $10,000 from fund raisers to the new Ronald McDonald House facility.

While the finishing touches are still underway, the new St. Petersburg facility will have 14 bedrooms for families of critical care patients. A room will be named in honor of Austin. The Ronald McDonald House said donations like this help their doors stay open.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Austin is building picnic tables for the charity house. It's his way of saying thank you.

Austin hopes he and his troop have the tables finished by March and that they bring comfort to families in their most difficult time.

"Just realizing that they helped my family a lot, I just wanted to give back," he said.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Austin must raise the money to build the picnic tables. Donations can be sent to: Boy Scout Troup 37: in care of Austin Shepard, 12374 SW Austin Ave., Lake Suzy, Fl 34269.