Cooper Roberts, 8-year-old Highland Park shooting victim, still in constant pain
Cooper Roberts, an 8-year-old boy,in Highland Park on 4th of July Parade Shot during the massacre and paralyzed. His physical and emotional recovery has been slow, his family said.
"It is very difficult to convince Cooper that he will be happy again," Cooper's family said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. and I know others weren't so lucky, but I want people to know his path/our path will be a very long and difficult one.he is 8 years old He is desperate, sad and angry when the reality of his life begins."
Cooper left the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital two weeks ago.and is currently recovering at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. According to his family, he is also doing occupational therapy while learning to manage maneuvers around his three tubes, two ports, and his PICC lines that exit his body.
"Cooper is in constant pain. It's painful to watch. He still has internal injuries – slow-healing wounds. He is suffering from stomach pains as his body re-learns to process mostly liquid food.
While Cooper was allowed to start, according to his family, he was eating solid food again, but his liquid diet via feeding tube was often satiating. too much to even enjoy some of his favorite foods, only needing a few chews before feeling full and nauseous.
Also, due to ongoing COVID-19 safety protocols, he can only see his entire family once a week for short periods of time.
"He misses his twin brother, Luke. He misses everything: his family, his house, his room, his toys, his friends, his dog, his school. ``What am I going to do with my recess?'' It will be weeks before he gets back to school,'' his family said. It says it's likely to spend 12 weeks from He then reunites with his twin brother, Luke, in his third year at Highland Park. House
Cooper was shot in the back and the bullet exited his chest. The bullet "caused severe damage throughout his body, including the aorta, liver, esophagus and spinal cord," her mother Keely Roberts wrote in late July.
She was also shot. rice field. She suffered gunshot wounds in two parts of her leg and she has already had multiple surgeries on her leg, she said. The wound requires ongoing orthopedic treatment, she said.
Cooper's brother, Luke, suffered only minor injuries, but the mental trauma is devastating in itself.
Cooper and Luke receive individual counseling and mental health services. Cooper suffers from sleep-disrupting flashbacks and other post-traumatic stress symptoms.
"There are many layers of brutality in being shot by snipers," Cooper's family wrote. "Most people have not witnessed the harsh aftermath after surviving these devastating wounds, both physical and emotional. Our new world."
Yet his family
"I am so grateful for the gifts, cards, prayers and donations that have helped me through this very dire time."
A GoFundMe set up to help Cooper's family pay for his medical bills has raised more than $1.7 million to date. .
7 Many people were killed and dozens more injured in the July attacks. The attack suspects have since been charged with more than100 felony counts, including murder and attempted murder. Police said earlier this month that had previously admitted to attacking, but he had } pleaded not guilty.
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