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Community rallies around beloved local Special Olympics athlete in ICU battling COVID-19

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A community is rallying around a beloved Cabarrus County Special Olympics athlete who is in the ICU fighting COVID-19.

“He has a smile that will just light up a room, and we miss that,” said his sibling Robin Collyer.

For eight days now, TJ Carpenter has been on a ventilator in the hospital.

One of the most painful parts of the battle, something so many families have dealt with, is that his family can’t visit Carpenter in the ICU, so they’re praying from afar.

“He’s got a good soul and a good heart, and so when I tell you he truly doesn’t meet a stranger, he does not,” Collyer said.

On Saturday, loved ones held a prayer vigil outside his hospital room.

“If he wasn’t there, he would be the one organizing this for another athlete or coach. I know he would. He’s got that big of a heart, so I just hope it warms his soul,” said Suzie Lloyd, Special Olympics coach.

Carpenter’s sister said doctors remain optimistic. They can’t wait to show him just how many people rallied behind him.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Channel 9′s Elsa Gillis spoke with the family Friday, ahead of the prayer vigil.

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