Chesterfield Toddler Running Weeks After Receiving Prosthetic
TL;DR: A 2-year-old Chesterfield County boy named Cohen Walls is rapidly adjusting to life with a prosthetic after losing his foot in a lawnmower accident in March 2026.
Quick facts
- Who: Cohen Walls, 2 years old; parents Brittney and family
- What: Child recovering from lawnmower accident with prosthetic leg, progressing in physical therapy
- When: Accident March 20, 2026; prosthetic fitting May 20, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia; VCU Children's Hospital
The story
On March 20, 2026, 2-year-old Cohen Walls was struck by a riding lawnmower operated by his father in Chesterfield County. The accident severed Cohen's right foot, and he was airlifted to VCU Children's Hospital in critical condition. Surgeons performed an amputation just above the ankle on March 22, preserving as much leg tissue as possible to protect his growth plate and improve his long-term mobility prospects.
Two months later, on May 20, 2026, Cohen received his first prosthetic fitting, marking a critical milestone in his recovery. His mother, Brittney Walls, expressed confidence in his future, stating "he will be running again when this is over." Despite the trauma and pain management needs following the amputation, Cohen has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the weeks following the accident and beginning prosthetic training.
The community response has been extraordinary. A volunteer team led by Project:HOMES, with approximately 15 volunteers and materials donated by Home Depot, constructed an accessibility ramp at the family's home in late March. The ramp provides critical support as Cohen uses a wheelchair during his initial recovery and healing phase. Beyond the physical infrastructure, community members have offered swim lesson support, gifts, and financial assistance through a GoFundMe campaign to help the family manage medical expenses while both parents manage caregiving responsibilities.
Cohen continues physical and occupational therapy with a goal of walking and eventually running. His mother emphasized the importance of community support: "This is just going to make it so simple. Seeing a community like this is what I want to teach my children." While Cohen faces multiple surgeries as he grows to accommodate his changing prosthetic needs, early reports indicate he remains active with his three siblings, playing, climbing, and swinging.
Key players
- Cohen Walls: 2-year-old patient recovering from amputation
- Brittney Walls: Mother; family advocate
- VCU Children's Hospital: Medical care provider
- Project:HOMES: Community volunteer organization that built accessibility ramp
Key dates
- 2026-03-20: Lawnmower accident; Cohen airlifted to VCU Children's Hospital
- 2026-03-22: Amputation surgery performed
- 2026-03-23: Community ramp construction (late March)
- 2026-05-20: First prosthetic fitting, two months post-injury
The case for
Early prosthetic fitting combined with intensive physical therapy demonstrates that young children can adapt and regain mobility quickly after amputation. Cohen's rapid adjustment to his prosthetic within weeks of fitting shows the remarkable plasticity of young bodies and the effectiveness of modern prosthetic technology designed for pediatric patients. Community support and accessible home infrastructure (ramps, adaptive equipment) directly enable children with limb loss to maintain active, age-appropriate play and development alongside their siblings, reducing psychological impact and promoting physical strength.
The case against
Pediatric prosthetic care requires ongoing financial and logistical support, as children need prosthetic replacements every 1-2 years as they grow, and each requires fitting adjustments. Multiple surgeries lie ahead for Cohen as his residual limb changes shape and bone structure shifts, adding medical complexity and cost. Safety concerns persist with young children using prosthetics during active play, climbing, and learning to run; falls and impacts carry injury risk, and close supervision remains essential during the adjustment period.
Why it matters: Cohen's recovery demonstrates both the capabilities of pediatric trauma care and prosthetic technology, and the essential role community plays in enabling children with disabilities to thrive. His story highlights the ongoing financial and medical challenges families face after traumatic injury, while also illustrating how coordinated community action and early intervention can set a child on a path toward independence and active childhood despite permanent disability.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-03-20Lawnmower accident occurs: 2-year-old Cohen Walls struck by riding lawnmower operated by his father; airlifted to VCU Children's Hospital [[source]](https://dailyvoice.com/md/chevy-chase/virginia-toddlers-leg-saved-in-lawn-mower-accident-family-calls-outcome-a-miracle/)
- 2026-03-22Amputation surgery: Surgeons amputate Cohen's right foot just above the ankle, preserving maximum leg tissue and growth plate [[source]](https://dailyvoice.com/md/chevy-chase/virginia-toddlers-leg-saved-in-lawn-mower-accident-family-calls-outcome-a-miracle/)
- 2026-03-23Community ramp construction: Project:HOMES volunteers with ~15 team members build accessibility ramp using Home Depot-donated materials [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/ramp-for-child-who-lost-foot-march-31-2026)
- 2026-05-20First prosthetic fitting: Cohen fitted with his first prosthetic leg, exactly two months after the accident, begins adjustment and physical therapy [[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)
- Community builds ramp for 2-year-old who lost foot in Chesterfield lawn mower accident (WTVR)
- Virginia Toddler's Leg Saved In Lawn Mower Accident, Family Calls Outcome 'A Miracle' (Daily Voice)
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 (YouTube) →
Sources
- Toddler who lost foot in lawnmower accident adjusting to new abilities, 2 months later
- Community builds ramp for 2-year-old who lost foot in Chesterfield lawn mower accident
- Virginia Toddler's Leg Saved In Lawn Mower Accident, Family Calls Outcome 'A Miracle'