Boy struck in head by projectile at recess home from hospital, starts physical therapy
Benders Bar and Grill will host a fundraiser for the family on Saturday
Benders Bar and Grill will host a fundraiser for the family on Saturday
Benders Bar and Grill will host a fundraiser for the family on Saturday
A 6-year-old Kenosha County boy is home from the hospital more than a month after he was nearly killed by a projectile thrown from a lawnmower.
The item struck Alex Hook in the head as he played on his school playground during recess.
Thursday marked a milestone for Alex as he started physical therapy six weeks after the first-grader was critically injured on his school playground, by what his family says was a chunk of steel thrown from a lawnmower.
Alex's aunt said her 6-year-old nephew is still missing a piece of his skull and faces many challenges.
"He can't walk on his own, so they have a brace which enables him to walk with a walker if someone is holding him," Michelle Koertgen said.
Alex, who spent days in a coma, returned home last week to welcome signs from his family and school friends.
"On the school, in the fence, they put Alex and then a big heart. And when he saw that, he started crying," Koertgen said.
Nearby Benders Bar and Grill will host a fundraiser for the family on Saturday and built a large deck for the event.
Hundreds of motorcycles will also pass by the Hook home so Alex watches from his window. He has to stay isolated to avoid infection ahead of the next step: skull implant surgery next month.
"And then, the continued physical therapy until one day when he's able to, pray, walk again," Koertgen said.
Alex's road to recovery will be long, but the community has made it clear that it will be with him every step of the way.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for medical expenses.