Paralyzed DeSoto Player Heads Home With Hopes

Corey Borner hopes to walk again after catastrophic injury

By ADAM BOEDEKER

Updated 10:53 AM CST, Sun, Jul 12, 2009

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On May 6 during spring football practice, Corey Borner's life took a drastic turn.

The DeSoto sophomore defensive back was covering a wide receiver when he lowered his head wrong and fell limp to the ground, where he lied motionless awaiting paramedics.

Now, nearly two months later, Borner headed home on Tuesday to begin his new life and strive toward his new goal -- walking again.

Borner comes from a family of strong faith, as chronicled in many newspaper articles and television newscasts, as both he and his mother have repeatedly said that these were the cards dealt to the 16-year-old, and he will overcome them.

"I know I'm going to walk again," Borner told The Dallas Morning News' Brian Davis, in his first interview since the accident. "I don't let it get to me. I'm real determined. That's why I have a smile on my face every day."

Borner underwent an 8-hour surgery at Dallas' Parkland Hospital on May 7, when he had his C5 and C6 vertebrae fused and relieved the pressure being put on his spinal cord from the C6 vertebrae.

"My spirit, my faith in God is strong," Borner's mother, Charlotte, told the Morning News. "But you find yourself questioning things sometimes and then you have to sit back and look at the overall picture that things happen for a reason. God doesn't make any mistakes.

"With my faith in God and Corey's faith, I know it's going to be OK."

For the past six weeks, Borner was at Baylor's Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the best facilities of its kind, and he's taken on quite a following.

He's been paid visits by football big wigs such as former Cowboys, now Buffalo receiver Terrell Owens and Texas head coach Mack Brown.

"I was impressed with both Corey and his family," Brown told Davis. "They had a very positive attitude. One thing I learned from spending time with him is that he is a kid that will never give up. He's a very courageous and tough young man."

Adam Boedeker is a sports writer/award-winning blogger for the Denton Record-Chronicle. He's enjoying $1 hot dog night 18 rows behind home plate.