Shark attack victim gets new prosthetic leg
By Liz Tufts
lufts@abc6.com
Just six weeks after a shark attack took his leg while surfing in Hawaii, a Tiverton man was fitted with a new prosthetic leg. ABC6 was there as Colin Cook took his very first steps Monday, and he says he’s counting down the days to get back on and into the water.
It’s a day 25-year-old Cook has been patiently waiting for. For the first time since October 9th, the Rhode Island native is back on two feet–but getting here hasn’t been easy.
Colin was sitting on his surfboard in Hawaii when a 13-foot tiger shark swam up beside him and attacked, latching onto his leg.
"[I’m] extremely lucky, incredibly lucky," says Colin, who lost his leg above the knee and two fingers.
After numerous surgeries in Hawaii and Boston, he was finally fitted with a new prosthetic leg at Rhode Island Hospital Physical and Occupational Therapy in Providence.
"I’ve gotten kind of used to how light my leg is and then put this on and was like, ‘woah!’" he says.
It’s going to take a lot of practice to get moving like he used to.
"It’s kind of a bittersweet moment to get into the leg and start walking again but the downside is relearning to walk and all those basic things," explains Colin, who says it’s all worth it, because he intends to get back on his surfboard as soon as he can.
"It’s the love of my life, and Id’ rather do that than stay in my house and worry," Colin adds.
His positive attitude has played a huge role in his recovery, already practicing to walk on his new leg.
"I have age and health on my side so that has kind of sped up the process," says Colin. "I have to keep my eye on the prize to where I want to be."
Colin’s new leg cost close to $150,000, a lot of it wasn’t covered by insurance. If you like to help Colin, visit his GoFundMe page.
© WLNE-TV 2015
