Boy, 11, Suffers Stroke After Being Struck by a Soccer Ball on School Playground: ‘Mom, Am I Going to Die’

An 11-year-old in Louisiana is on the road to recovery after a rare medical emergency that began with what seemed like a harmless moment on the playground.

Six months ago, Cole Ditmore was standing outside at school with a marker in his mouth when a soccer ball struck him, forcing the marker into the back of his throat, his mother, Angelina Frazier, told local outlet WAFB.

At first, Frazier worried he might have a concussion and rushed him to Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth Hospital. Doctors discovered a small puncture inside his throat — and signs that something more serious was happening.

While being examined by an ear, nose, and throat specialist, Ditmore suddenly began slurring his speech. Half his face weakened, and he could not lift his left arm, Frazier recalled. It became clear he was having a stroke.

Doctors immediately initiated stroke treatment and quickly transferred him to the Heart & Vascular Institute at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Ditmore spent four days in the Pediatric ICU.

According to physicians, the marker had compressed his carotid artery, triggering a blood clot that led to the stroke.

“The first thing I remember was waking up around 11 or 12 and seeing my dad and my mom just all there, and I hear them talking, but I couldn’t respond and I couldn’t talk,” Ditmore told WAFB.

His mother remembered him asking a heartbreaking question as he regained awareness: “Mom, am I going to die?” At the time, she wasn’t sure what his recovery would look like.

Over the following months, Ditmore underwent intensive physical therapy and treatment — and has made notable improvements. Frazier said she is thankful her son’s symptoms appeared while he was still under medical supervision, enabling doctors to respond quickly.

Ditmore continues to heal, though he still faces certain limitations. He remains on blood thinners and must limit sports and strenuous activities.

“I’ve been trying my best to get back to my normal self,” he said. “I don’t know if I can, but I hope I can.”