One year later, Duluth East teen shares progress about walking tall

One year after a devastating ski accident left him with a spinal cord injury, Mason Branstrator is reflecting and reviewing all that he’s overcome.

The senior at Duluth East just released a video on YouTube, documenting his progress.

From his surgery in Duluth, to the rehabilitation efforts at Craig Hospital, the Duluth East teen has worked tirelessly to walk again. He’s been cheered on along the way by so many of you, and he’s grateful.

"With the support of family and many generous friends, we have converted the basement of the house into a therapy gym. This is where I spend most of my time, outside of school, working on walking again, and strengthening my shoulders so I can safely operate my wheelchair," he said.

Slow and steady, he acknowledges he’s come so far. "The farthest I’ve walked on my own is 40 feet. And tomorrow holds the promise of walking even farther. Not to mention the other victories, like driving on my own, swimming on my own, and of course, returning to school to finish my senior year."

Mason wants to leave you with a message. "I hope this video has helped you in some way. If I’ve learned anything from this, it’s that you can’t change the past. You might try and shape the future. But we can live right here, right now, for the simple things. The things we love, and the people we hold dearly."

To watch the full video, click here

Mason is also writing a blog. Here’s the link: Mason’s blog

For the GoFundMe: Mason’s GoFundMe

CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/masonbranstrator