Browns lend support to Kory Wiita

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

Medina Highland High School football team's defensive back Kory Wiita was a member of the Hornets' kick-off unit this season. On Oct. 30, the Hornets were playing host to rival Cloverleaf in a regular season finale. A Division II, Region 6 playoff berth was on the mind of Wiita, his teammates, coaches and parents.

Then the game began.

On the opening kickoff, Wiita fractured three vertebra in his neck. He did not have movement below his chest. Less than two days after his injury, he was laying in a bed in Akron Children's Hospital intensive care unit.

Right away, a Web site was created through CaringBridge.org. The site features a guestbook and a journal where his father, Dan, constantly updates.

Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8:33 a.m.:

"Kory slept well through most of the night.  Every time he wakes up he wants to get rid of the breathing tube and the feeding tube.  He can't talk with all those tubes in his mouth, but he definitely gets his point across.  He keeps asking to see Sara and his brothers and sisters, and all of his friends, but we can't have too many visitors yet because of worries about illness.  I said "Go Browns" and he rolled his eyes and laughed.  He wants the Hornets to win in the playoffs and he wants this next surgery done soon so he can talk again.  That will probably be tomorrow.  This is hard, but he is very tough!!"

The Browns provided Kory and his father a moment of reprieve less than two days after the life-changing incident. It was the first good thing the Browns have done all season.

Now, the team is taking it a step further. Eight days after Wiita suffered his injury, Browns' Josh Cribbs left a message on the Web site's guestbook:

"Just stopping by to encourage you, and to let you know that so many people have gone to their prayer closet to lift you up, for when the praises go up the blessings come down. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts & prayers.

I will also make it known publicly on Monday Night Football with a Kory Wiita sign that i will hang next to the Josh Cribbs sign in the Dog Pound. You are my brother in football and so many of us are inspired from you strength.

Stay strong,

Josh Cribbs"

There has been plenty of negative news surrounding the Browns' 1-7 season, tonight's game and its proposed "Brown Out." Yet reading through Dan's heart-wrenching journal posts you'll find "Go Browns." The Browns have provided the Wiita family a brief distraction. And now, by hanging a sign in the Dawg Pound for Wiita, the Browns have done their part to support.

Here's to hoping more of the Browns community can support Wiita.

On Saturday, Dan's journal entry described Kory's battle.

"He can't turn his brain off and just relax, I guess it has been a tough few weeks for him. (very funny)  There has just been alot of stuff for him to process and he is getting very aggravated that he can't get his fingers and hands to work yet, among other things.  He is trying everything he can think of and his brain can't fight through this yet and make his body work.  He is not used to having this problem, I guess most people aren't, and he feels that he needs more hope and prayers to make it through this.
 
Today he feels like he just doesn't have enough hope, but we are trying to help pump him up and work through this.  I guess there will be good days and bad days."

Perhaps Monday night's game and Cribbs' gesture can help Kory and his family have a "good day."

Editor's note: The Wiita family is accepting donations to help continue Kory's battle.

Kory Wiita Benevolent Fund
P.O. Box 3
Sharon Center, Ohio 44274