8-year-old boy paralyzed in Highland Park capturing not requires IV ache drugs and feeding tube, household says

August 24, 2022

Cooper Roberts was left paralyzed by the capturing and needed to bear a number of vital surgical procedures in an effort to survive his accidents, which included a severed spinal wire and {a partially} collapsed lung, his household has mentioned. Throughout his restoration, he has been on heavy painkillers and felt “fixed ache” from slow-healing inside wounds, the household beforehand shared.

“Eradicating all of the tubes has been an enormous temper booster for Cooper, to have the ability to eat a few of his favourite meals and to start out maneuvering his wheelchair higher with out the tubes getting in his means and inflicting him ache,” the boy’s household mentioned in an replace.

Cooper has began to eat “the meals he is been craving,” his household mentioned, together with Lay’s dill pickle-flavored chips, Cheetos and Chick-fil-A.

“We’re all so completely satisfied to see him eat — and will probably be working to get some fruit and veggies again within the rotation!” the household mentioned.

Cooper and members of his household have been amongst dozens of parade-goers injured by a gunman who opened fireplace from a rooftop onto the group under. Seven folks have been killed within the assault.

The household has been offering common updates on Cooper’s situation in an effort to point out the challenges of his tough restoration. They beforehand shared that the boy has struggled with feeling “hopeless, unhappy and offended as the fact of his life is setting in.”

Cooper’s vitality has began to return, the household mentioned, “as he participates in a wheelchair race down the hallway at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab along with his bodily therapists.”

He additionally additionally had a “particular go to” from former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who suffered a extreme spinal wire harm in 2017 that left him quickly paralyzed.

“Ryan was clear, genuine, real and gracious in sharing insights with us about his path to restoration,” the household mentioned.

Covid-19 restrictions restrict how a lot time the entire household can spend with Cooper. Cooper particularly misses his twin brother Luke, who he was in a position to spend some high quality time with this week, the Roberts’ mentioned.

A number of members of the Roberts household have been injured within the capturing; Luke was struck by shrapnel and launched after therapy, a household spokesperson has beforehand mentioned. His mom, Keely Roberts, “was shot within the leg and foot space” and underwent a number of surgical procedures however was discharged as a result of she needed to be by Cooper’s aspect, the spokesperson mentioned.

As Cooper continues to recuperate, the household says medical doctors are nonetheless not sure how a lot of his mobility will totally return and “what limitations we are going to stay with for his lifetime.”

“We do know that we’re infinitely grateful for his survival, and for the various kindnesses we proceed to obtain, together with from all who’re working to assist Cooper and others impacted heal from this nightmare.”

A verified GoFundMe has been created to help with Cooper’s medical bills.

CNN’s Christina Maxouris, Adrienne Broaddus and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.