Oregon Man Proposes to High School Sweetheart Three Years After Being Paralyzed

Former athlete Larry Ragsdale puts a ring on his longtime girlfriend years after recovering from a coma

Former football player Larry Ragsdale’s proposal to his high school sweetheart, Kelcie Yeoman, almost never happened. He was nearly killed by a drunk driver four years ago.

Ragsdale, 20, was a star athlete for his high school. He played football, ran track and was even featured in Sports Illustrated‘s “Faces in the Crowd” list. His girlfriend, Kelcie, cheered him on every step of the way and he was ready to make her his wife.

Ragsdale bought her a ring and was planning to propose while on vacation to Disneyland with her family. The vacation, however, never happened. On March 10, 2010, while driving in Monroe, Ore., a drunk driver plowed into his car and left Ragsdale in a coma.

“After months of being in a coma, the doctors weren’t sure Larry was going to wake up,” Kelcie’s sister, McKenzie Yeoman, says in a Youtube video that has gone viral.

His constant cheerleader, Kelcie, was by his side until he woke up. And when he finally did, he was left partially paralyzed. Knowing that he still had a tough road ahead, Kelcie got a job at the facility where he was recovering.

Last August, after three grueling years of surgeries and physical therapy, Ragsdale was finally able to propose to a stunned Kelcie with the same ring he’d bought her before his accident.

“Although Larry wasn’t able to propose in Disneyland, he still has the chance to marry his wonderful princess in the most magical place on earth,” says McKenzie, who started an online fundraising campaign and a Facebook page to pay for their dream wedding and honeymoon.

“Larry still continues to receive any therapy we can get and will continue after the wedding, too,” Kelcie wrote on the fundraising page.

McKenzie met her goal of $20,000 in 11 days and says any additional money that came in will go to pay for Ragsdale’s continued care because he is permanently disabled. The YouTube video of their journey resurfaced on Valentine’s Day on reddit.

“We are always looking for the best therapy out there to help Larry to keep getting better,” Kelcie wrote. “I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives.”

See their heartwarming story below.