Brooklyn Center Family Says Helmet Saved Son’s Life
Twenty-one-year-old Robert Cook of Brooklyn Center was critically injured after he was hit by an SUV while riding his bike July 19. Now his family is using the incident to educate others.
Aleichia Rowe has been by her son’s hospital bedside since the accident. Cook was on the way to class at the University of Minnesota when the crash occurred.
“He had his helmet on, that saved his life,” said his Mom.
Taking It One Day at a Time
Cook was in critical condition and spent over a month in intensive care while he healed from spinal cord injuries and several broken bones. He’s improved a lot, but still has a long ways ago, and is now recuperating at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. He’s more responsive and communicating with his family.
“Wear Your Helmet”
Rowe is thankful her son was wearing a bike helmet. It’s a message she constantly drilled into her son.
“Robert wear your helmet, Robert wear your helmet, Robert wear your helmet,” she remembers repeatedly telling her son.
Her safety announcement doesn’t stop with her family.
“I just want to be Robert’s voice,” said Rowe. “I want him to be the poster child to let people know, you should wear your helmet.”
The family is starting a campaign called “Team Robert for Life.”
“We’re going to make some buttons, we’re going to do some fundraisers out by the park, where people actually ride bikes and rollerblade and things like that,”
explained Rowe.
Meanwhile, the family is relying on their faith and hopeful and grateful for Cook’s recovery.
“I’m a true believer in God and I think God has worked his miracles to get us here today where we’re at right now. I just know Robert is going to get stronger and he’s going to continue with his education, and continue to help people,” said Rowe.
Cook is a senior at the University of Minnesota studying kinesiology. Before attending the university, he was a very active student at Brooklyn Center High School. He was a long distance track star and president of the National Honor Society. His family and friends are rallying around him. They’ve set up a GoFundMe account for Robert to help with the family’s medical expenses.
