By . Paul Thompson . and Daily Mail Reporter . The parents of a Washington state teenager who was paralyzed in a freak hunting accident are speaking out to say their son is making 'miraculous' progress by drinking on his own - something doctors said he would likely never do again. But, Kevin Wayne Jr., 17, remains unable to move from the neck down after a tow rope that was pulling an elk snapped and hit him in the neck and severed his spine last month. He can speak in deep, froggy growls, but has said little about the accident that has left him in a hospital bed. 'The only thing he has said is, "I should have stayed home that morning,"' Kevin's mother Aurea Gonzales told KOMO-TV. Kevin Wayne was hit across the neck by the rope during a hunting trip near Greenwater, Oregon leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak . Kevin Wayne, Jr. (pictured) was injured in a freak accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down and breathing with the help of a ventilator . The family is now raising money to help pay for Kevin's mounting medical bills with a Go Fund Me account. Doctors fear the teen may never be able to walk again. His parents have quit their jobs to be by their son's bedside as he struggles recover. His doctors also said he may never be able to eat on his own or breathe without a respirator, as well. However, Ms Gonzales revealed that on Wednesday he sipped a smoothie. 'Miracles do happen and he's gonna show everybody wrong,' his mother said. The tragedy took place on October 18 while Kevin was out hunting with a group of friends near Greenwater, Oregon. Wayne Jr. was airlifted to Harborview . Medical Center for treatment. He has undergone surgery on his neck and . has shown the first sign of improvement - being able to move his arm. The family, who have no health insurance, are fundraising to pay for the teenager's medical bills . Kevin Wayne was hit across the neck by a rope, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak . Family member Teresa Gonzales said his parents didn't have jobs that provided health care benefits. Teresa has started a donation page on the GoFundMe website. In . her appeal for donations she wrote: 'On Friday, October 18, my grand . nephew, Kevin Wayne, Jr. was injured in a freak accident that left him . paralyzed from the neck down and breathing with the help of a . ventilator. 'October 24th was his 17th birthday. His parents are by his side 24/7 and both have had to leave their jobs. 'My . niece and her partner, the mother and father, need financial assistance . to get through this immediate crisis until a longer-term funding source . can be established. 'Friends . and family are exhausting their own resources to pay for gas, parking, . food, etc. Any and all financial help is welcome.' After several people made online donations she added: 'We are overwhelmed with your generosity. 'This . is a sad and difficult time for us but your warmth and thoughtfulness . is giving us the strength we need to carry on. This will be a long and . difficult road.' Kevin and his friends were on an elk hunt in the mountains of Oregon when the accident happened (stock image)
Kevin Wayne was left paralyzed after a tow rope that was pulling an elk snapped and hit him in the neck and severed his spine last month .
The teen was hunting with friends near Greenwater, Oregon .
By . Paul Thompson . and Daily Mail Reporter . The parents of a Washington state teenager who was paralyzed in a freak hunting accident are speaking out to say their son is making 'miraculous' progress by drinking on his own - something doctors said he would likely never do again. But, Kevin Wayne Jr., 17, remains unable to move from the neck down after a tow rope that was pulling an elk snapped and hit him in the neck and severed his spine last month. He can speak in deep, froggy growls, but has said little about the accident that has left him in a hospital bed. 'The only thing he has said is, "I should have stayed home that morning,"' Kevin's mother Aurea Gonzales told KOMO-TV. Kevin Wayne was hit across the neck by the rope during a hunting trip near Greenwater, Oregon leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak . Kevin Wayne, Jr. (pictured) was injured in a freak accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down and breathing with the help of a ventilator . The family is now raising money to help pay for Kevin's mounting medical bills with a Go Fund Me account. Doctors fear the teen may never be able to walk again. His parents have quit their jobs to be by their son's bedside as he struggles recover. His doctors also said he may never be able to eat on his own or breathe without a respirator, as well. However, Ms Gonzales revealed that on Wednesday he sipped a smoothie. 'Miracles do happen and he's gonna show everybody wrong,' his mother said. The tragedy took place on October 18 while Kevin was out hunting with a group of friends near Greenwater, Oregon. Wayne Jr. was airlifted to Harborview . Medical Center for treatment. He has undergone surgery on his neck and . has shown the first sign of improvement - being able to move his arm. The family, who have no health insurance, are fundraising to pay for the teenager's medical bills . Kevin Wayne was hit across the neck by a rope, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak . Family member Teresa Gonzales said his parents didn't have jobs that provided health care benefits. Teresa has started a donation page on the GoFundMe website. In . her appeal for donations she wrote: 'On Friday, October 18, my grand . nephew, Kevin Wayne, Jr. was injured in a freak accident that left him . paralyzed from the neck down and breathing with the help of a . ventilator. 'October 24th was his 17th birthday. His parents are by his side 24/7 and both have had to leave their jobs. 'My . niece and her partner, the mother and father, need financial assistance . to get through this immediate crisis until a longer-term funding source . can be established. 'Friends . and family are exhausting their own resources to pay for gas, parking, . food, etc. Any and all financial help is welcome.' After several people made online donations she added: 'We are overwhelmed with your generosity. 'This . is a sad and difficult time for us but your warmth and thoughtfulness . is giving us the strength we need to carry on. This will be a long and . difficult road.' Kevin and his friends were on an elk hunt in the mountains of Oregon when the accident happened (stock image)
to move from the neck down after a tow rope that was pulling an elk snapped and hit him in the neck and severed his spine last month. He can group of friends near Greenwater, Oregon. Wayne