Skys the limit: One year after diving accident, teens hard work helping him heal from spinal cord injury [Video]

As we embark on summer activities, the dangers in the water float to the surface, especially the risks for diving in lake water. Last year an accident in Lake Michigan brought a local high schooler to depths he had never known.

Now an update on Pato Gilchrist and his fight back and the rising benefits from hard work and strong dedication.

WGN first met Gilchrist two weeks after he suffered a cervical spinal cord injury.

“It was the first nice day of the year. Really the first dive in I dove in headfirst, and I hit the sand the bottom of the lake,” he said.

Following surgery to stabilize his spine, the then-18-year-old underwent in-patient therapy at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.

Previous Coverage: Teen’s progress, positivity inspires just weeks after diving accident

Lauren Rizio is his occupational therapist.

“When he first got here, he needed full assistance for feeding himself dressing himself, any sort of washing grooming anything like that,” …