Friendship Never Ends | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Friends, 1 of whom was near death 7 years ago, heading to the dance

Jessica McComiskey and Ian Collins hold the poster board Jessica used to ask Ian to homecoming.
Positively Putnam FL

INTERLACHEN — Jessica McComiskey and Ian Collins will attend the Interlachen Junior-Senior High homecoming dance Friday night, continuing a decades-long friendship that has overcome a near-fatal crash.

Jessica’s invited Ian Monday, her request taking the form of a poster board which read, “Homecoming would be sweet with you,” with more than 30 pieces of candy attached. It had two options for Ian to choose: “yes” and “yup.”

Jessica, an Interlachen High junior, said Ian deserved something special for homecoming. She described him as a big brother.

“He said thank you in sign language and automatically gave me a hug,” she said. “He loves candy.”

The two lifelong friends have grown up together. On Thanksgiving Day 2014, Ian nearly died when he was hit by a vehicle near Leesburg and suffered severe brain damage. Ian, who has autism, now communicates with an iPad.

Three days after the crash, Ian showed signs of life. He spent three months in different hospitals and later almost died from a brain abscess. Ian was in a wheelchair until a year ago, his mother said.

Tahbet Collins, Ian’s mother, said she was unsure her son would experience homecoming.

The journey from almost dying to doing something every teenager does has been long, Tahbet Collins said of her son.

“We thought we were going to lose him,” she said. “It warmed my heart because we’ve been friends for a long time. Jessica’s gone above and beyond.

“She went the whole nine yards. He’s one of those kids (who) if you meet him, you love him.”

Bonnie McComiskey, Jessica’s mother, said Ian’s survival was a miracle. She said her daughter’s gesture brought tears to her eyes and she joked about both choices on the poster board committing Ian to the dance.

“She left him no choice,” Bonnie McComiskey laughed. “I think it’s amazing.”

Jessica remembered the time after the crash and said friends and family were asked to prepare for a funeral.

“God worked with him and came through,” Jessica said. “I’ll feel honored to walk up to the homecoming doors with him. He deserves it.”