Broken Bow Athlete's Comeback is Ahead of Schedule

By: Bill Steckis Email

Updated: Sun 10:53 PM, Jul 08, 2012

"Chad is getting cards and cards from people we don't even know and friends of older generations that he doesn't know," said Cathy Christensen, the mother of Broken Bow's Chad Christensen.

The support fuels the recovery. But there are still challenges.

"I can't remember anything from the wreck," said Chad Christensen.

That's the biggest challenge for this Broken Bow four-sport athlete. He's used to hitting three-pointers on the court, but the only three he's worried about now are the three forms of therapy he is enduring: occupational, speech, and physical. The third the most challenging for Chad Christensen following a major brain injury suffered in the June 1 accident. It injured eight Broken Bow basketball players and killed three men, including two of the team's coaches. Today, Chad is leaps and bounds ahead of schedule.

"They set ten goals for the first two weeks and they had to re-do the ten. They said they never had to do that before. So they set ten more and he's met eight of those," said Cathy.

Being athletic is a major part of his quick recovery, but his determination is key. It comes from being a linebacker and a pitcher.

"I think that has helped. He has always been a determined, athletic kid," said Cathy.

Chad says baseball is by far his favorite sport. So when he threw out the first pitch at Monday's Saltdogs game, the former All-Star baseball player said it's a night he will never forget.

"It was a pretty big deal. It was awesome," said Chad.

This was last Monday. He needed help walking to the pitcher's mound. Less than a week later, he's walking on his own. His Madonna Rehabilitation therapists say it's nearly miraculous. It's all part of a determined athlete's comeback.

"I can't wait to be back to normal with sports or school or whatever," said Chad.

It's still a long road, but the steps he's taking are more like leaps, for this athlete bound for success.

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