Community, friends, family come together to help teen-ager injured in diving accident > Greenville student athlete’s injury keeps him on respirator at EMMC

Two weeks ago, Mark Beckwith was an active teen-ager whose love for life and sports made him a key player on Greenville High School teams.

Today, Mark is fighting for his life, the victim of a diving accident.

The 18-year-old suffered severe damage to his spinal column on July 31 in a diving accident at Barrows Falls in Blanchard, a favorite swimming spot for local teen-agers. Mark dove off a ledge about 10-feet high into the water and struck his head on a rock, injuring his fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae.

It was because of the efforts and the care given to him at the scene by his sister, Sherri Beckwith, and friends Erin McIver, Jason Lander and Ian Morrill that he’s alive today.

According to family members, the teen-agers did exactly what they were supposed to do to someone with a head injury. They pulled him gently from the water onto the shore, and stabilized him until medical help could arrive, procedures they learned from the applied life skills and science class at Greenville High School.

Mark has a lung infection and is on a respirator, and has no feelings below his neck, but he did recently experience some “sensation feelings” in his chest and arms. He’s also battled a bout with pneumonia, a frequent occurrence with spinal injuries.

Mark’s parents, Wayne and Karen Beckwith, are coping with the situation as well as expected. Tremendous support has been given to the family from friends throughout the area. Until Mark is moved from the Intensive Care Unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, they will remain at the Ronald McDonald House nearby.

The Beckwiths are deeply concerned, however, that this not happen to anyone else’s child. Karen, secretary to the superintendent in School Union 60, said parents should tell their children about the dangers of diving. She also believes signs should be posted to alert swimmers to the dangers involved at Barrows Falls.

All who know Mark are optimistic about his recovery. “He’s going for the gusto,” his parents said in an interview at EMMC last week. “There’s every reason to have a lot of hope,” said Wayne, a contractor.

The teen-ager’s spunk and determination has been shown frequently throughout his life. In May 1988, Mark broke his femur in a motorcycle accident. His crutches had a short life and were discarded into a ditch when his mother wasn’t looking, so determined was he to play baseball.

“His baseball was what he lived for,” Karen said. And baseball is something he excelled in. He played baseball for the state championship Greenville High School Lakers this spring and played first base where he committed only two errors for the entire championship season. Mark was also an active member of the Key Club and the student council.

Through the wires and curtains that separate them at EMMC, Mark has become friends with another diving accident victim. The 27-year-old fellow patient seriously injured his spinal column in a diving accident in a swimming pool, according to Karen. The parents of the new friend and the Beckwiths have given each other moral support.

According to Karen, Mark has two wishes, that he graduate with his class and that he will be able to drive his car again. The teen-ager needs only two credits to graduate.

While Mark recovers, friends at home have established a special fund in his behalf at the Fleet Bank in Greenville. Those wanting to make contributions may make them to the Mark D. Beckwith Fund, care of Fleet Bank, Greenville Branch, Greenville 04441, attention Peggy Clark or Dorothy Spencer.

At home, friends are rallying to support the family. At 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, there will be a bottle drive to benefit the family. The contact person for this event is Vicki Ryder, who may be reached at 695-3502, or 695-2435.

Tickets are being sold on a Las Vegas Dream Vacation for four days and three nights to benefit the family. Only 100 tickets will be sold at $25 each. More information on this fund-raising event can be obtained by calling Charles Ryder at 695-3502 or 695-2435.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, Mark D. Beckwith Day will be proclaimed in Shirley. Activities will be held at B. Sawtelle’s field at the corner of Route 15 and the Shirley Road. The event will feature a yard sale, a concession stand, a dime carnival, beano games, a volleyball tournament and a horseshoe tournament. The Greenville Band will perform during the day and a benefit supper will be held at 5 p.m. at the Shirley Town Hall. More information on these events can be obtained by contacting Nancy Holland at 695-3529 or 695-3204.