NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- A local hair salon did its part this weekend to help a 14-year-old severely injured on New Year's Eve.
Parker Black, a student and football player at Stratford High School was shot by a roman candle. He suffered second and third degree burns on his left eyeball and eyelid. Since, he has had to undergo costly and invasive procedures -- all in hope that doctors can repair the damage and restore some level of vision to his eye.
Brian Seel, owner of Broadway Images, opened his salon's doors on Saturday and Sunday to host a Cuts For A Cause benefit in Black's honor. The goal, was to raise money to assist Paker's mother, a stylist at the salon, with medical expenses.
"He's doing pretty good," said Jennifer Cumbee, Black's mother. "He's been hanging in there. He has good days and bad days. He's got to undergo extensive surgeries, in a little bit of pain every day, but he's hanging in there. He's hopeful."
Black is now in much better spirits than he was when he was first injured. His mother said his hope has been a blessing.
"He said on the way to the hospital that he knew he was blind and that he would never get to play football (again) or join the military," Cumbee said.
But, doctors at MUSC, according to Cumbee, have changed his outlook. They have encouraged Black that with the proper procedures, work and time, he could get his vision back.
With good turnout at the weekend benefit and support from coworkers, Cumbee said there is even more hope than they imagined.
"They were very generous donors," Cumbee said. "...We're shocked actually. There's a lot of people that have given their time -- my coworkers coming and volunteering their time, taking time away from their families to help us out."
If you missed the event over the weekend and still want to help out, you can call Broadway Images and make an appointment for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
"The girls wanted to keep doing it," Cumbee said.
