A month ago, Collin Long’s life changed in the blink of an eye. One minute he was working at the AU Club and Golf Course in Auburn, Alabama, just another day laying sod with his buddy Liam English. The next, he was fighting for his life after a freak accident left him with a traumatic brain injury so severe, doctors weren’t sure he’d make it through the night.

What’s happened since then is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Collin’s comeback isn’t just a story—it’s a living, breathing miracle that’s got his family, his friends, and even his doctors shaking their heads in disbelief.

Let’s get real: most people don’t walk away from an injury like Collin’s. The odds were stacked against him from the start. He was rushed to UAB—thank God for that last-minute change in plans. Surgeons worked fast, removing a fractured piece of his skull and doing everything they could to minimize brain damage. The family braced for the worst. Amy, Collin’s mom and principal at South Smiths Station Elementary, was living every parent’s nightmare.

But here’s where the story takes a wild turn. Collin didn’t just survive—he started to thrive. Sure, the first days were hell. He was poked, cut, and hooked up to every machine you can imagine. He fought through pain, pneumonia, migraines, and a parade of IVs. He did therapy sessions tethered to an IV pole, his body battered and bruised. But he never quit. Not once.

Amy describes living through two realities at once—a living nightmare and a living miracle. The laws of physics say you can’t be in two places at once, but Collin and his family have learned that some truths go deeper than science. They’ve lived through the agony and the awe, side by side, every single day.

This week, Collin faced another round of pneumonia and migraines. His vein gave out, so they put in a midline IV. Every medication brought side effects, but Collin just kept on. He’s a workhorse, Amy says, with no quit in him. And God knew he needed to be built that way to survive this ordeal.

But the real jaw-dropper? Collin is walking again. Unassisted. Just a few weeks ago, he could barely move. Now his physical therapist thinks he’ll be jogging before he leaves rehab. His right-side facial nerves are still “asleep,” and the feeding tube isn’t out yet, but he’s eating like a champ and addicted to chocolate Ensure. He’s slowly gaining weight, inching back toward the healthy, strong kid he was before.

Collin’s mind is clear. He’s talking about his future, about college at LSU, about telling his story to the world. He wants to help others battling traumatic brain injuries. He knows God has a purpose for him, and he’s ready to be a walking, talking example of prayer, grace, and mercy.

Amy’s update is raw, honest, and full of love. She doesn’t sugarcoat the pain. This has been the hardest month of her life, and she hopes it’s the hardest Collin will ever face. But she’s also seen miracles, big and small, every single day. From the surgeons who saved Collin’s life to the friends and family who’ve flooded them with love, support, and prayers, she knows they’re living something extraordinary.

The Long family—Amy, Anthony (Collin’s dad), Evan (his brother), and Collin—are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Every prayer, message, and call has been a lifeline. They don’t know how Collin’s story will impact others, but they know how much your support has meant to them.

And they’re not done yet. They’re praying for complete healing of Collin’s facial nerves and muscles, for full restoration of his mind and body, and for the chance to get home soon. They’re hoping for a miracle, but they’re living one every day.

So here’s the real story: Collin Long, the Auburn teen who stared death in the face and kicked it to the curb. The kid whose comeback is blowing everyone’s mind. The family who’s surviving hell and living a miracle at the same time. The prayers, the grit, the hope—it’s all real, and it’s all happening right now.

If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further. Collin’s story isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving, about fighting for every inch, about believing in something bigger than yourself. It’s about the power of family, faith, and a community that refuses to let go.

Collin Long may never make the national news. He may never be a household name. But for everyone who knows his story, he’s a hero. He’s proof that miracles happen, even when you’re living through hell. And his journey is just beginning.

So, Collin, if you’re reading this—know that people everywhere are cheering for you. Your fight is inspiring more people than you’ll ever know. Keep walking. Keep talking. Keep believing. The best is yet to come.

And to everyone who’s followed Collin’s journey—keep those prayers coming. The miracle’s in motion, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.