Well-wishers continued to visit or call Corey Borner on Wednesday as word spread about the 16-year-old's rehabilitation and return to his family's DeSoto home.
Borner was paralyzed May 6 when he collided with a teammate at football practice. On Tuesday morning, he was released from the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. By late afternoon, family and friends were calling or stopping by.
All the coaches and celebrities who visited Borner in rehab were appreciated. But Borner simply missed hanging out with his closest friends, a group he dubs "The Fab 5."
"They've been over here 24/7 – all the time," Borner said Wednesday. "They're happy to be over here."
The hit left Borner paralyzed from the neck down, but he has regained some feeling. He still can't move his lower body, but he can raise his arms. He says he's confident he'll walk again.
"I'm doing real good," Borner said. "The way things are going, I'm glad to be home now. I miss the hospital a little bit, because they took care of me. But it's nothing like being home. Nothing like home."
Michael and Charlotte Borner, Corey's parents, were initially worried about the costs associated with the renovations required to their home. Two rooms must be reconfigured and the bathroom must be expanded to accommodate Corey's wheelchair.
The first estimate they received was $16,000. But Michael Borner said Wednesday that another contractor had agreed to do the work for substantially less.
"It was sort of like a donation," Michael Borner said. "Oh, gosh, it made me cry."
Renovation work is scheduled to begin next week.
The family's other main concern is finding a van that can carry Corey and his wheelchair. One initial estimate put the price tag around $50,000.
Strangers have stepped up to help. Several people contacted The Dallas Morning News to inquire about donating. The family has established a trust fund at the Bank of DeSoto, located at 2011 N. Hampton Road. For more information, call 972-780-7777.
Vice president Patricia Coleman could not say how much money has been raised. But she said the average contribution is $150 to $200.
