SALISBURY — When De’Drick Hinson started having headaches last August, he had no idea what was in store. Now, six months later, he is reacclimating to life after multiple brain surgeries. 

Hinson was starting his sophomore year at Salisbury High School when doctors discovered an infection behind his eye and fluids in some spots of his brain.

The surgeons were able to remove a majority of the fluid from both sides of his brain, but they discovered that Hinson had what’s called subdural empyema. A subdural empyema is a pocket of pus that develops between the dura mater and the middle layer of the tissues (arachnoid mater) covering the brain. 

To allow Hinson’s brain to heal, doctors removed the bone flap, which Hinson’s mother, Stephanie Watkins, described as pretty much the skull. Hinson has been wearing protective headgear but will have a future surgery to have a prosthetic fitted to that portion of his skull. 

Despite going through an experience most individuals could only fathom, Hinson has tried to stay positive. 

“He is still thriving and getting better every day,” Watkins said. “Since we have been out of the hospital, things have been good. It’s been hands-on administering medication.

“He had not gone back to school yet but had started homeschooling. He has had a teacher come to the house.”

While trajectory for the most part had been good, Hinson suffered a setback on Feb. 11 when he had a seizure. Everything that Hinson has done since the first surgery has convinced Watkins that he is no ordinary teenager. 

“I told De’Drick, and I’ll tell everybody after he had the surgeries that he is a miracle child,” Watkins said. “He is a walking miracle, and I told him that he was going to have a superpower.”

Watkins said that superpower revealed itself when Hinson had the seizure. 

“He remembered everything that happened prior to the seizure,” Watkins said. “He went and sat down on the chair in his room, and his mouth started twitching. He got up and walked to his brother’s room (while) having a seizure. Everything (in his body) stuck but his feet. 

“He said he remembered seeing his brother looking at him and falling on the bed. Mind you, he is in the middle of a seizure that whole time.”

Keeping Hinson on the positive path to recovery led Watkins to roll back some of the extra school work he was doing. Still, doctors expect a 100-percent return to normal life for the Salisbury teen. 

Doctors even told him that he could play sports again after his final surgery. Hinson expressed slight hesitation at the idea but declined to rule it out. 

Watkins said that through it all, Hinson has been relatively quiet. 

“You know teenagers, they don’t always express themselves,” Watkins said. “As parents, you can maybe relate to how they are feeling. I worry about him having anxiety and being depressed, just feeling different.”

For his part, Hinson said that the most challenging part has just been “being at the house” for such extended periods.

“I got friends that come by and friends that call me,” Hinson said. “The support has been there from the coaches and the school.”

He has been able to see his teammates from the football team as well. Like most teenagers, he just wants to be able to spend time playing and laughing with others his age, so those moments are crucial for keeping Hinson’s mindset and outlook positive.

Watkins constantly reminds Hinson that it’s alright to be frustrated, discouraged or anxious at times. She has been through the emotional gamut herself since all this began but has been prepared to do everything she can to be her son’s rock. 

Through it all, their faith has endured. 

“Our strength has come from our faith,” Watkins said. “The Lord is where he has found his strength.”

Watkins said that she would like to try to find a support service dog as a companion for Hinson and hopes that someone in the community might know how they could find one. 

“If you have a loving puppy who’s ready to become a companion and provide emotional support, we’d be immensely grateful for your donation,” Watkins said. “Your contribution will not only bring joy to my son’s life but also provide invaluable comfort during his healing journey. Let’s make a positive impact and give De’Drick the support he deserves.”

The family also started a GoFundMe, which can be found at this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-fighting-dedrick. Throughout the experience, Hinson’s medical bills have been tremendous, and the family is far from being out of the woods yet. 

Watkins said she would like to be able to give her son a trip of some kind once he is able. Having been on such a tumultuous journey so far, she believes a reprieve, such as a vacation, would be physically and mentally beneficial for her son. 

A benefit concert has also been organized on Hinson’s behalf. The event is slated to feature performances from Destiny Stone, Timika Peterson, Kia Rice (Virtuous), Danielle Burris-Bostic, Living Creek Music Ministries and Gregory Luster. 

Yakeima Songbird White is scheduled to host. 

The event takes place on March 29 at 6 p.m. at Mount Calvary Holy Church, located at 1401 Standish Street in Salisbury. Tickets are $15, and proceeds go to the family. For more information on the concert or to connect with the family, call 980-432-6883.