Baton Rouge Man Walks Again After Accidental Shooting

A 22-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who suffered a spinal cord injury during an accidental shooting last year took dozens of steps with the help of a walker on July 7, according to video from Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital.

“Devin P,” as the hospital called him, started his rehabilitation after suffering an accidental gunshot wound last summer, leaving him with an incomplete spinal cord injury, the hospital said in a post.

Devin was preparing to start a new job when he was shot accidentally by a close friend in April 2019. He underwent multiple surgeries to his kidneys, lower spine, and back, and was diagnosed with acute traumatic paraplegia, the hospital said.

Devin’s occupational therapist Allison Prestridge Cutrer said that when Devin first arrived, he could only wiggle a toe. From there, they worked on dressing and standing. In physical therapy, Devin trained his core and legs.

According to the hospital, Devin drew a picture of a ladder and on each rung, wrote a different goal – at the bottom rung, standing; then, using a walker; walking with two canes; walking with one cane; and finally, walking unassisted.

This video shows Devin taking steps with the help of his walker.

“It has been exciting to see Devin progress over these months,” said Courtney Stears Boyle, Director of Physical Therapy at Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital.

“If it wasn’t for all the therapists here at Baton Rouge Rehab, I would still be only working on wiggling my toe. Courtney and her voodoo attitude makes me a better person!” Devin is quoted as saying in the Facebook post.

The rehab hospital said that Devin spends his free time playing wheelchair basketball and participating in online gaming tournaments. Credit: Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital via Storyful