Spring Break
Fighting through adversity
The Story of Eric Krugg
Nick Dodson
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Features
Throughout high school and college, Eric Krug was just like any typical college student. He played baseball and hung out with his friends. On April 11, 1997, Eric's 21st birthday, he would see his life flash before his eyes.
After a big baseball game earlier that day against West Georgia, Krug and his best friend Tim got into a car that was being driven by a drunk driver. The driver crashed into a tree located at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga., where Krug and Tim went to school and played baseball for.
"The belief of thinking this could happen to my own child was unbelievable," said Joyce Krug, Eric's mother.
That horrible crash caused the death of Krug's best friend Tim and left Krug in a coma, which he stayed in for over a year. The accident changed Krug's life forever as he sustained a serious brain injury that caused him to lose a lot of his short and long-term memory as well as his best friend's life.
"He can't remember much short term things, but when he sees pictures of himself he can remember those times," Joyce said.
The crash also caused Krug to lose use of his right arm, and he no longer has the strength to walk or talk, a result of breaking his neck. Even though Krug doesn't have the strength to do much anymore, he hasn't stopped smiling and enjoying life. He wakes up every morning around 7 or 8 whenever his dog comes to wake him up.
"The dog keeps Eric going everyday because the dog has to go to the restroom, so he will go and let Eric know," said Joyce smiling.
Eric Krug was a standout baseball player that played for Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County, Ga. and earned himself a scholarship to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. where he earned All-Conference Honorable Mention in 1997.
"Baseball was everything to my son; he would tell you that he went to school for baseball and that was the truth," said Joyce.
Krug can't actually speak, but he uses a portable device or a card with letters on it to spell out what he wants to say. He is able to walk with a walker as long as he is accompanied by someone. He walked his sister Jennifer down the isle for her wedding and was the best man for one of his best friends' wedding.
At age 31, Eric is living and going strong as possible day after day and trying to save the lives of others. Krug and Joyce go around to high schools, colleges, churches, and military bases all over the state of Georgia to share his story.
"His story is very hurtful and sad, but the example is what he is using to let others know not to make the same mistake," said Joyce.
Just two weeks ago, Eric Krug was able to take two steps on his own without his walker. Doctors told Krug and his family that he would never be able to walk on his own ever again.
"It's a miracle and anything is possible, I know Eric want be able to walk a lot on his own but just those two steps are a miracle," said Joyce Krug.
After a big baseball game earlier that day against West Georgia, Krug and his best friend Tim got into a car that was being driven by a drunk driver. The driver crashed into a tree located at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga., where Krug and Tim went to school and played baseball for.
"The belief of thinking this could happen to my own child was unbelievable," said Joyce Krug, Eric's mother.
That horrible crash caused the death of Krug's best friend Tim and left Krug in a coma, which he stayed in for over a year. The accident changed Krug's life forever as he sustained a serious brain injury that caused him to lose a lot of his short and long-term memory as well as his best friend's life.
"He can't remember much short term things, but when he sees pictures of himself he can remember those times," Joyce said.
The crash also caused Krug to lose use of his right arm, and he no longer has the strength to walk or talk, a result of breaking his neck. Even though Krug doesn't have the strength to do much anymore, he hasn't stopped smiling and enjoying life. He wakes up every morning around 7 or 8 whenever his dog comes to wake him up.
"The dog keeps Eric going everyday because the dog has to go to the restroom, so he will go and let Eric know," said Joyce smiling.
Eric Krug was a standout baseball player that played for Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County, Ga. and earned himself a scholarship to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. where he earned All-Conference Honorable Mention in 1997.
"Baseball was everything to my son; he would tell you that he went to school for baseball and that was the truth," said Joyce.
Krug can't actually speak, but he uses a portable device or a card with letters on it to spell out what he wants to say. He is able to walk with a walker as long as he is accompanied by someone. He walked his sister Jennifer down the isle for her wedding and was the best man for one of his best friends' wedding.
At age 31, Eric is living and going strong as possible day after day and trying to save the lives of others. Krug and Joyce go around to high schools, colleges, churches, and military bases all over the state of Georgia to share his story.
"His story is very hurtful and sad, but the example is what he is using to let others know not to make the same mistake," said Joyce.
Just two weeks ago, Eric Krug was able to take two steps on his own without his walker. Doctors told Krug and his family that he would never be able to walk on his own ever again.
"It's a miracle and anything is possible, I know Eric want be able to walk a lot on his own but just those two steps are a miracle," said Joyce Krug.
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