Man accidentally shot by brother makes remarkable recovery | News

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A Fort Collins man makes a remarkable recovery after accidentally being shot by his brother.

Every graduation at Craig Hospital is special. But Scott Gleason’s graduation is especially remarkable.

No one expected Scott to be doing so well so soon. Some didn’t even think he’d survive. He was accidentally shot in the neck by his brother in September.

The bullet severed his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down, but it didn’t slow him down.

Scott told FOX31 Denver, “I feel really good.. probably further than I thought I would be."

His therapists and doctors at Craig Hospital are simply amazed by his progress.

“Scott`s been a great patient. He always surprised me. One of the greatest things about working with Scott: his attitude is amazing,” said Molly Boroughs, a physical therapist assistant at Craig.

“If something wasn`t going his way, he wouldn`t get frustrated. He would say let`s see how we could do it differently.

Let me try to put my hand here instead here. Let me try it this way. He`d keep working and working until he was able to get it the way he wanted it.”

Doctors last week finally removed the bullet from Scott’s neck. He wears it around his neck as a reminder of where he’s been. His hard work and determination are paying off.

He was released from Craig after just three months of intense physical therapy. But that’s not the only thing Scott accomplished at Craig.

Scott also finished his GED. “I guess there`s good things that come out of bad,” he said. “Gave me the opportunity to get it done.”

His mother, Kathy Zumnak is also very proud. “He`s accomplished a lot for being 21. I told him this just opened a lot of doors for you. You never know where you`ll go now,” she said.

Scott says he is very thankful for his doctors, teachers and family members. But they say they are the lucky ones.

“It`s extremely rewarding. I am so proud of him; he is a motivator for me. I see what`s possible.. I see his strength and determination. I am so thankful to be a small part of that," said Laura Magnus, Scott’s tutor at Craig, “He is a blessing to me. He`s worked really hard.”

Scott will revisit Craig once a year for a complete checkup. In the meantime, he is looking forward to getting home and getting back to work.

If you would like to help, you can make a donation at www.gofundme.com/chasescottgleason.

For more information about Craig Hospital, visit their website at www.craighospital.org.