Kumari Shreya
Faith can often give rise to many complicated questions, but it is not unknown that people turn to the divine during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. The 2019 Christian movie ‘Breakthrough‘ tells a similar story of a teenager named John Smith who miraculously recovered after being submerged in a frozen river for about 15 minutes. What is even more fascinating is that the film is based on John Allen Smith’s real-life experiences. Naturally, people are eager to know what he is up to these days and the developments in his life since the fateful accident.
Who is John Smith?
Hailing from Guatemala and born in May 2000, John Smith was adopted by Joyce and Brian Smith when he was just an infant. Though he grew up in a loving and religious household during his teenage years, he could not help but feel upset about his adoption. Apparently, feelings of abandonment led John to rebel in different ways regarding his parents and teachers. Yet, one thing that the teenager loved from all his heart was basketball.
The incident that led John to become a central figure in the Roxann Dawson directorial occurred when he was 14. He was spending the night at his friend’s house as they had a day off on Martin Luther King Jr Day. On January 19, 2015, John and two other friends decided to go to Lake Saint Louise, which was frozen at that time. However, the ice was thin, causing the three boys to fall into the lake.
While John’s friends were quickly able to get out, he was submerged in the water for around 15 minutes before being rescued by the first responders. When he was brought to the surface, the medical professionals performed CPR and tried their best to save his life in any way possible. As the teenager was taken to the St. Joseph Hospital West, many attempts were made to resuscitate him for about 45 minutes, yet nothing seemed to work.
Only when John’s mother, Joyce, came to see her son and immediately started praying over his body was a pulse detected. After being stabilized, he was airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where his recovery remained a matter of concern. The doctors claimed that the 14-year-old showed signs of organ failure, and his lack of neurological activity indicated the possibility of a prolonged coma. Regardless, his mother retained her faith, and he soon started showing impressive signs of recovery and walked out of the hospital on his own.
John Smith Has Evolved Into a Motivational Speaker Today
As of writing, John Smith is thriving in his life. His near-death experience only seems to have made his belief in faith stronger. The fact that his story was soon adapted into a movie both fascinated and surprised him. More than eight years since the accident, John remains thankful to all those who helped save him from drowning and stood beside his parents during his recovery. Furthermore, he appreciates the people who worked hard to tell his story on the big screen.
John retains his love for basketball and serves as the Coach of Renegades, a basketball team based in O’Fallon, Missouri. Additionally, he is a Motivational Speaker who often addresses large crowds and is always open to discussing faith’s role in his life. John is happily married to Abigail Smith, his high school sweetheart, whom he started dating at 15. He proposed to her in January 2020, and the two tied the knot in October of the same year. The happy couple was blessed with their son Everett Judah Smith on December 10, 2021, and the two greatly adore him. The Smiths also have an adorable Cockapoo dog named Belle, whom John got as a wedding present for his wife.
Read More: Brian and Joyce Smith: Where Are John Smith’s Parents Now?
