What started as a fun-filled summer day for 10-year-old Ray Jordan turned into a life-threatening ordeal no one saw coming.
On July 4, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina, Ray was having the time of his life playing outside with friends. It was a sweltering summer day, and like most kids, he stayed active—running, jumping on the trampoline, and dashing around the house with his cousins. To beat the heat, Ray kept drinking water. A lot of it.
By the time the clock struck 8:30 PM, Ray had guzzled six bottles of water in less than an hour. His parents, Jeff and Stacy Jordan, didn’t think twice about it. Hydration is healthy, right?
But things quickly took a frightening turn.
An hour later, Ray began throwing up. His movements became erratic, and he couldn’t control his head or arms. “His motor functions were completely gone,” Jeff recalled. Alarmed, the family rushed him to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed what no one expected: Ray was suffering from water intoxication. This rare but dangerous condition happens when the kidneys can’t process excessive water intake, leading to dangerously low sodium levels and swelling in the brain.
“They had to help him urinate as much as possible to flush out the excess fluids,” Stacy explained. The swelling in Ray’s brain was causing severe pain and disorientation. His parents described him as appearing “drunk or even mentally handicapped.”
Miraculously, Ray pulled through. He woke up in the hospital, dazed but coherent, asking where he was. His recovery was a huge relief for his family, but it left them shaken—and determined to share their story.
“It never occurred to us that too much water could be dangerous,” Stacy admitted. Now, the Jordans are warning other parents to be cautious. Health experts agree: while water is essential, electrolytes found in sports drinks can help prevent the kind of imbalance that led to Ray’s ordeal.
This terrifying experience serves as a reminder that even something as simple as drinking water needs moderation. Ray’s family is grateful for his recovery and hopes their story will prevent others from facing the same danger.
Could this happen to someone you love? Share this story to spread awareness and keep others safe.
