JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Raines Vikings head coach Steven Bellamy's track team had a terrific season in 2017. The Vikings won a state and national championship.
Off the track, Bellamy, however, was in a serious battle for his health.
Back in March, the 53-year-old was falling at track practice and he even fell out.
Bellamy decided to go see his doctor on March 9. Bellamy said the doctor immediately noticed something was wrong with him and sent him to the emergency room.
The doctors did an MRI and X-rays. The X-rays revealed Bellamy's C-3 and C-4 vertebra had collapsed. They were pressing up against his spine and nerves, which explains why he had been falling in practice.
The doctor then asked him to put down his crutch and walk, but he couldn't.
Within days, Bellamy was on the operating table.
His doctor told him if had he waited one more week, he would have been paralyzed for life.
Bellamy said he didn't know how to handle the news. He broke down because it was his second bout with paralysis. But Bellamy fought through it and his boys never left his side.
Shortly after the emergency surgery, it was on to four weeks of grueling rehab.
Bellamy said what made him fight through it was he had to get back to his team.
Back in August, Bellamy agreed to try and walk for the first time in months in front of our cameras.
It was a risky decision, but one that inspired his players.
For the first time since February, Bellamy walked without his crutch and unassisted.
His players said it should teach them to never take anything for granted and that with faith, all things are possible.
Eight months since he had the emergency surgery, Bellamy is doing well.
He said he can walk but still uses his crutch as a safety precaution.