Jan 26, 2006 2:30 pm US/Central
'Fighting Power' Helps Red Lake Shooting Victim
by Esme Murphy
(WCCO)
When Steven Cobenais was shot in the face at Red Lake High School, doctors didn't know if he'd live, much less walk and talk again.
Now Cobenais is on his way to life like it was before he was shot, as doctors prepare to give him a prosthetic eye.
"I myself, in my heart, knew my boy had fighting power in him," said Cobenais' father, Llewellyn Thunder.
Doctors at the University of Minnesota's Children's Hospital removed part of the roof of Cobenais' mouth, using that tissue to build an eye socket for the prosthetic eye.
Before the operation, Cobenais was nervous. His parents hugged him before surgery, grateful they still have a child to hug.
"I think about that every day," said Cobenais' mother, Leann Thunder.
"I try to forget about what happened that day," Cobenais said.
As doctors prepared for their delicate work, Cobenais' parents took time to reflect.
"It's turned into our number-one priority, taking care of Steven," Llewellyn Thunder said.
Since he was airlifted the day of the shooting, Cobenais has made a remarkable comeback.
"It's going to be hard for the rest of our lives, because it's something we have to live with," Llewellyn Thunder said.
Last summer, Cobenais suffered a major seizure. For a while, he wore a helmet to protect him from falls. He is back at Red Lake High School now, where he struggles with short-term memory loss.
"Couldn't be more prouder of him," Llewellyn Thunder said.
After weeks at Cobenais' bedside in Fargo, N.D., Llewellyn Thunder lost his job. The family also lost their home, and they are now in subsidized housing that is guaranteed only through February.
"It's very stressful," Leann Thunder said.
But through the pain, there is always Steven.
After his surgery, Cobenais said he was feeling "pretty good." He refused to stay in the hospital overnight.
A little groggy but with a smile on his face, Cobenais said he was ready to go home.
"I'll be in school Monday, yeah!" Cobenais said, holding up one hand in a peace sign.
It will take six weeks for this surgery to heal, and Cobenais will then get the prosthetic eye.
Cobenais' dream for now is to make the Red Lake High School basketball team next year. Llewellyn Thunder said that even with one eye, his son still has a mean jump shot.
Llewellyn and Leann Thunder have four other children. Their medical bills are substantial, and the family has no place to live after February.
The Thunders said they were grateful to people who contributed to a community fund set up in their son's name.
Donations are accepted at the Steven Cobenais Fund, Deerwood Bank, P.O. Box 1278, Bemidji, MN 56601.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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