8-year-old Cooper Roberts has begun physical therapy and is looking forward to entering the third grade with his twin brother this fall after being paralyzed in the Highland Park shooting.
The boy was discharged from the hospital last week and transferred to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, which is a rehabilitation facility.
He has been participating in physical and occupational therapy every day to help him regain mobility and strength.
Cooper is expected to be at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for six to 12 weeks, according to a statement from the family.
Once he is released, Cooper will join his twin brother, Luke, in the third grade at their elementary school in Highland Park.
Cooper will likely go to school for half of the day and go to outpatient rehabilitation for the other half of the day, his family said.
The two brothers have been receiving mental health services following the Fourth of July shooting.
Cooper suffered a gunshot wound that left his spinal cord severed in the shooting that required him to be airlifted to the intensive care unit of a hospital, where he stayed for almost a month.
Morrison (D-Lake Forest) announced on Monday that she was organizing a “Cards for Cooper” campaign.
The state senator is collecting store-bought and handmade cards that she will deliver to Cooper’s family to “show Cooper the community supports him and is cheering him on throughout his recovery process.”
“Almost everyone in the community has been thinking about and cheering on Cooper throughout his recovery process,” Morrison said.
“He’s doing much better, but still has a long way to go. Let’s show him how many people care.”
Any person, no matter how old or where they live, is encouraged to send a card for Cooper to 43 Highwood Avenue in Highwood, Illinois, 60040. Drop-offs are also welcome.
Morrison encourages people to share the opportunity with their friends and family as “no amount of cards is too many.”
The Highland Park shooting left dozens wounded and killed seven.
Cooper’s mother, Keely Roberts, was seriously injured but is recovering.
Keely underwent several surgeries after she suffered gunshot wounds to her leg and foot area. She was later discharged from the hospital. Luke, who was struck by shrapnel, is also recovering.
A GoFundMe account for the family raised over $1.7 million.