Jan 31, 2007 8:00 pm US/Central
Red Lake Victim's Road To Recovery
by Darcy Pohland
(WCCO)
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Steven Cobenais was back at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital Wednesday for more surgery on the eye socket. (File)
CBS
Nearly two years ago a student opened fire inside Red Lake High School.
Seven people died, but of the survivors, Steven Cobenais was the most seriously hurt.
He lost an eye and suffered brain damage, but Cobenais is still fighting.
"He's a kid who excels above his own limitations. He sets his goals and gets them, and if he can't, he'll try until he gets them," said Steven's dad, Lewelyn "Sacky" Thunder.
That's what 17-year-old Steven Cobenais has done ever since he was shot in the face at point blank range.
"He's doing good. A lot better than I anticipated," said Steven's mom, Leann Thunder.
Steven was back at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital Wednesday for more surgery on the eye socket.
"Today we did some work to help push the tissue up and forward to help fill it out so it will look more natural," said Dr. Andrew Harrison from the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital.
It's the latest step in the teenager's long road to recovery.
Steven's most recent accomplishment, stepping onto the court as a member of the Red Lake basketball team.
"To see him walk out on that floor ... I cried because I never thought I'd see him go out on that floor again," said Leann.
A few weeks later, he scored his first point.
"He got two free shots, and he only made one of them, and the whole crowd just roared," Steven's mom said.
"They put me on their back," said Steven.
"And they carried Steve off the floor," said Leann.
"To me, he's my hero. I used to be his, but he's mine now," said Steven's Dad.
Steven's next goal is to get his driver's license.
In order to get one he has to be seizure free for a year.
That year will be up next month and Steven is ready for driver's ed.
His parents said he's not the same boy they knew before. They said he shows a lot of anger and frustration now and he still has short term memory loss, but are so grateful for how far he's come.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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