State Fair tragedy survivor gets an early holiday gift - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

On Thursday, State Fair tragedy survivor Brad Humphrey went to work out, unaware a surprise was being served up.

Brad Humphrey is 17. His legs were crushed as he stood close enough to touch the stage before the Sugarland concert at the State Fairgrounds this summer.

He stayed in the hospital until late September. And, despite being confined to a wheel chair, is now reclaiming the parts of his life that he loved the most.

One of those loves is tennis. Humphrey played number one singles at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School. He also worked as a National Junior Tennis League instructor teaching children the fundamentals.

As an early Christmas gift, he got the chance to hit with Rajeev Ram, a former state champion from Carmel, who is now a professional player on the ATP tour.

Rajeev said " it's just incredible to see what he can do you know. Tennis is hard enough as it is. And then you are in a chair having to move around...He's incredible. He's gotten this far in just a short amount of time."

Ram says he was made aware that Humphrey also played the violin. When he found out, he made some calls. He presented it to Humphrey Thursday. "It's a personalized autographed violin from Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews band," said Ram. "We've been saving it and protecting it with our lives."

The gift was unexpected, and perhaps a bit overwhelming for the teen, who is unsure if it will be for display or making melodies. "I might save it or I might play it at school I'm not sure," said Humphrey.

Despite the setbacks this year, Brad is on track to graduate with his class on June 12th, of 2012.