(WJZ) MT. AIRY, Md. It started as a pool party at the Shumaker's home in Mt. Airy, Frederick County, but it ended in tragedy.

As Richard Sher reports, 12-year-old Stacey Shumaker jumped into the backyard pool and hit her head on the side. She broke her neck and is now paralyzed.

Stacey is a patient at Kennedy Krieger Institute, which has an international center for spinal cord injuries.

Janice and Bill Shumaker came to Eyewitness News to warn other parents and children, hoping to prevent similar accidents.

"If you're swimming laterally across a body of water, always keep your hands in front so if you do hit something it's with your hands, and not with your head," said Bill Shumaker.

"Approximately 90 percent of children and adults who strike their heads in swimming or diving accidents suffer some kind of spinal cord injury," said Jackie Stone of the Kennedy Krieger Institute's resource center.

"Going through life... it can all change in a second. It's hard," said Janice Shumaker.

To send get well wishes to Stacey Shumaker's personal web site, click here and search for Shumaker.