Colin Cook, Shark Attack Survivor: Moving Forward with Prosthetic Leg

Colin Cook, who lost his leg but won the battle with a tiger shark last October, arrived at POA ready to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation – walking independently. Steve Chamberland and his 50legs.org came by to greet him and offer support. Celeste Corcoran, Boston bombing survivor, also in town to be fit with new prostheses, was among them. Although still suffering from acute nerve pain following the amputation, Colin, an expert surfer in top physical condition, was able to push past the initial discomfort and within 10 days was walking – almost perfectly – without any aids. We also made him a prosthetic leg to use for surfing, as that is a sport Colin is passionate about continuing. Throughout their stay, Colin and his mom met and befriended many POA clients. Peer support is so empowering, and at POA, we definitely have a village of overcomers! Colin has returned home to continue training and endurance work so that when he returns to POA in a few months we can fit him with a running prosthesis. Until then, he will be getting back into the ocean and practicing his pop ups with the leg we built for surfing.You can read Colin’s incredible rescue and survival story in the following Honolulu Magazine article: http://bit.ly/1Qqk5q1