Robinson makes great strides
Garrett Robinson is walking on his own – and everyone who knows him is clicking their heels.
“It’s a great story leading into Christmas,” Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Chad Lang said Thursday. “I know our players are extremely proud and excited, as we all are here in Moose Jaw.”
Robinson, an 18-year-old Warriors left winger, suffered head trauma, a bruised lung, a broken nose and a broken jaw in an Oct. 22 car accident that left him comatose and in critical condition.
Two months later, there is “great progress” to report, according to a statement issued by the Warriors and the Robinson family. The release said Garrett is walking without the assistance of a cane at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“You can either say it’s a miracle or it’s remarkable,” Lang said. At the time of the crash Lang said the next 48 to 72 hours would be crucial as Robinson fought for his life. Lang marvels at the extent of the recovery.
“I don’t think anyone in the medical profession could have predicted such a quick response,” Lang said.
The WHL team’s GM added: “As good as this news is, let’s still keep it in perspective. He’s walking, but he’s not walking like all of us. He’s not running and dancing. I don’t want to downplay it, either. He can walk on his own from one end of the hallway to the next, but he still has a long road.”
The wires were removed from Robinson’s broken jaw two weeks ago. He is starting to eat solid foods and has increased his weight to 159 pounds. He was 185 at the time of the accident, but lost 46 pounds while his jaw was wired shut.
Robinson is able to communicate with family members and visitors while talking softly. His long-term memory is reported to be good, but he does not remember any of the current hockey season or the accident. Doctors are hopeful this short-term memory will improve with proper rehabilitation.
The Surrey, B.C., product still has weakness on the right side of his body – which absorbed the brunt of the impact in the collision – but is improving daily.
“Garrett talks about hopefully starting to skate soon, but that will not be for a while,” Robinson’s father, Randy, said in the statement. “Garrett is determined to be playing next year for the Warriors.”