2-year-old Chesterfield amputee running weeks after prosthetic
TL;DR: A 2-year-old Chesterfield boy who lost his right foot in a lawnmower accident is running and playing just weeks after being fitted with a prosthetic, demonstrating the resilience of young children and advances in pediatric prosthetic care.
Quick facts
- Who: Cohen, a 2-year-old from Chesterfield County, Virginia
- What: Lost his right foot above the ankle in a lawnmower accident, received prosthetic fitting, now running and playing
- When: Accident March 20, 2026; prosthetic fitting May 20, 2026; running reported within weeks of fitting
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
On March 20, 2026, Cohen, a 2-year-old from Chesterfield County, was seriously injured when his father accidentally ran over him with a riding lawnmower while mowing the family lawn. The boy was airlifted to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery resulting in the amputation of his right foot just above the ankle, with a second surgery addressing additional injuries from the accident.\n\nBy May 20, exactly two months after the incident, Cohen was fitted with his first prosthetic foot. Within weeks of receiving the prosthetic, he began attempting to run, a milestone that reflects both advances in pediatric prosthetic technology and the remarkable adaptability of young children. Toddlers like Cohen demonstrate neuroplasticity that allows them to adjust to new limbs far more quickly than older children or adults, often requiring weeks rather than months of adjustment.\n\nCohen is now playing, climbing, and swinging with his three siblings, activities typical for his age. The family made early accommodations including installing a wheelchair ramp and lowering his bed to the floor, but these supports are being replaced by increasingly independent mobility as Cohen's confidence grows. The community response was significant, with local churches, neighbors, and organizations offering donations, swim lessons, gifts, and emotional support throughout his recovery.\n\nRecent advances in pediatric prosthetics, including customizable designs and 3D-printed devices, are enabling children with limb loss to achieve developmental milestones on timelines closer to their uninjured peers. Cohen's rapid progress highlights both the effectiveness of modern prosthetic technology and the unique healing capacity of very young children facing life-altering injuries."
Key players
- Cohen: 2-year-old Chesterfield resident recovering from amputation and learning to walk and run with prosthetic
Key dates
- 2026-03-20: Lawnmower accident; Cohen airlifted to hospital for emergency amputation surgery
- 2026-05-20: Cohen fitted with his first prosthetic foot, exactly two months after accident
The case for
Pediatric prosthetic technology has advanced significantly, now enabling toddlers to regain mobility and independence quickly. Modern customizable devices are designed to grow with children and adapt to increasing activity levels, allowing kids like Cohen to participate in normal play, climbing, swinging, and even running within weeks of fitting. Early fitting and intervention in young children can support normal development and prevent long-term psychological or physical delays from limb loss. The rapid recovery demonstrates that with proper care and community support, children can adapt remarkably well and return to age-appropriate activities.
The case against
While Cohen's recovery has been rapid, all amputations carry lifelong implications including ongoing costs for prosthetic maintenance and replacement as the child grows, potential complications with skin breakdown or fit issues, limited activity in certain environments (water sports, contact athletics), and psychological adjustment that may emerge later in childhood. The accident itself represents a preventable injury; better safety practices and supervision around powered equipment could have avoided this tragedy entirely. Additionally, not all families have access to the same level of community support and prosthetic care that enabled Cohen's quick progress.
Why it matters: Cohen's recovery demonstrates advances in pediatric prosthetics that benefit any Chesterfield family facing a child with limb loss or difference. The story highlights the importance of early intervention, access to quality prosthetic services, and community support in helping children adapt to life-changing injuries and return to normal development. It also underscores the ongoing need for preventative safety around lawnmowers and other powered equipment in homes with young children.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-03-20Cohen struck by riding lawnmower: 2-year-old Chesterfield boy hit by father's lawnmower while mowing lawn; child airlifted to hospital [[source]](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/i-answered-the-phone-and-he-said-ive-ran-over-cohen-toddler-recovering-after-traumatic-lawn-mower-accident/)
- 2026-03-20Emergency amputation surgery performed: Cohen undergoes emergency surgery including amputation of right foot above ankle and treatment of additional injuries [[source]](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/toddler-who-lost-foot-in-lawnmower-accident-adjusting-to-new-abilities-2-months-later/)
- 2026-05-20First prosthetic fitting: Cohen fitted with his first prosthetic foot exactly two months after the accident [[source]](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/toddler-who-lost-foot-in-lawnmower-accident-adjusting-to-new-abilities-2-months-later/)
- 2026-05-20Early mobility milestones begin: Within weeks of prosthetic fitting, Cohen begins running and playing with siblings, demonstrating rapid adaptation to new limb [[source]](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/toddler-who-lost-foot-in-lawnmower-accident-adjusting-to-new-abilities-2-months-later/)
Related links
- Toddler who lost foot in lawnmower accident adjusting to new abilities, 2 months later (WRIC ABC 8News)
- Community builds ramp for 2-year-old who lost foot in Chesterfield lawn mower accident (WTVR CBS 6)
- Toddler recovering after traumatic lawn mower accident (WRIC ABC 8News)
- Pediatric Prosthetics and Orthotics (UVA Health)
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- Toddler who lost foot in lawnmower accident adjusting to new abilities, 2 months later (WRIC ABC 8News)
- Community builds ramp for 2-year-old who lost foot in Chesterfield lawn mower accident (WTVR CBS 6)
- 'I answered the phone and he said, I've ran over Cohen': Toddler recovering after traumatic lawn mower accident (WRIC ABC 8News)