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After multiple surgeries, correction officer paralyzed in fall is on the road to recovery

BOSTON — An Army veteran and correction officer who became paralyzed following a fall in his home is recovering in a Boston rehab facility after undergoing multiple surgeries.

A story Boston 25 News first brought to you in December, 38-year-old Aaron Gross is now recovering at Spaulding Rehab Center and trying to regain normal functioning of his body.

In an exclusive interview with Boston 25 News, Gross spoke about the accident and the multiple surgeries.

Gross served in the U.S. Army for eight years with a tour in Egypt and was the sole provider for his family of three -soon to be four - and had been working at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility as a correctional officer.

On Dec. 22, however, his family’s lives changed forever.

After suffering a fall in his bathroom, Gross became paralyzed just two days before Christmas.

“I ended up going to the bathroom, I got up, my knee ended up giving out [and I] woke up on the floor,” said Gross. “Everyone here I met said, ‘Oh, skiing, I hit a tree, I was hunting,’ [but] I was, ‘Oh, I was in my bathroom, where you feel safe!'"

Suffering leg and nerve damage, Gross underwent several surgeries and has a long road to recovery. Gross has been spending most of his time learning how to do basic, normal functions in life, like walking.

“He has nerve damage that goes down his leg and arm,” said Gross’ wife, Brooke.

Gross has to be hoisted out of bed for his physical therapy sessions. Brooke says it breaks her heart to see her husband in this state.

“I’m doing everything a single parent would do, but I have his mind still,” said Brooke. “That’s still something and [I’m] appreciative he’s still here, and can talk to the kids.”

Since Gross is the sole provider, the family is worried they will now have to sell the home they bought just two years ago. Hoping for some help with Gross’ medical expenses, the family has set up a GoFundMe account.

“If I can tell everyone, be appreciative of scratching your nose, because I can’t,” said Gross. “I have to ask people”.