'Hopeless, Sad And Angry' Cooper Roberts Faces Challenges, Family Says

CHICAGO — The family of the 8-year-old boy paralyzed in last month's mass shooting at Highland Park's 4th of July parade wants the public to know the "unvarnished reality" of the challenges he faces during his slow recovery from his physical wounds.

Cooper Roberts remains on intravenous antibiotics to prevent his internal wounds from becoming infected, and his medical team is weaning him from a heavy painkiller regimen this week, family members said.

Roberts survived a gunshot wound that severed his spine and caused extensive damage to his organs. After emergency surgery at NorthShore Highland Park Hospital, he was flown to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, where he spent nearly a month in the pediatric intensive care unit before he was cleared to be transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

His family said Tuesday he remains in constant pain. Swelling, which has hampered a full assessment of his spinal injuries, continues to obscure the internal picture. The liquid diet he consumes through a feeding tube often makes him too full to manage more than a couple bites of solid foods before becoming nauseated or feeling full.

"It is very hard to convince Cooper that he will be happy again. Of course, we are beyond grateful for his survival, and we know others weren’t as fortunate, but we want people to know his path/our path will be a very long and hard road," the Roberts family said in a statement. "He’s an 8-year-old boy who feels hopeless, sad and angry as the reality of his life is setting in."

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Roberts, now in his 45th day away from home, is only able to see his whole family once a week for a short period of time due to COVID-19 safety protocols. He is taking part in rigorous physical and occupational therapy while working around the three tubes, two ports and peripherally inserted central catheter to which he is connected.

According to his family, Roberts has begun to ask questions like, "What will I do at recess?" although it could be months before he is able to join his twin brother in third grade at Braeside Elementary School in Highland Park.

Roberts was said to miss his family, his room, his friend, his dog and his school, as he begins to recognize the severity of his limitations.

"Yet, every kindness makes him smile," his family said. "We are so grateful for the gift, cards, prayers and donations that will help carry us all through this very bleak period."

State Sen. Julie Morrison is collecting store-bought and handmade cards to demonstrate the community's support for Roberts' recovery. Cards can be mailed or dropped off at Morrison's office, 43 Highwood Ave., Highwood.

As of Thursday, a GoFundMe online fundraiser on the Roberts family's behalf has raised more than $1.9 million of a $2 million goal.

Those wishing to mail well-wishes, donations or gifts may send them to Zion Elementary School District 6, 2800 29th St., Zion, where Roberts' mother is the superintendent.

Read more: Return To School 'Huge Motivation' For Highland Park Parade Shooting Survivor Cooper Roberts