Two-Year-Old Cohen Overcomes Lawn Mower Accident with Prosthetic
TL;DR: Two-year-old Cohen from Chesterfield recovered his mobility with a prosthetic leg just weeks after losing his foot in a March lawn mower accident.
Quick facts
- Who: Cohen Walls, 2-year-old from Chesterfield; mother Brittney Walls
- What: Lost his right foot in lawn mower accident; received prosthetic leg named 'Nubby'; walking and running weeks after fitting
- When: Accident March 20, 2026; prosthetic received in June 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Two-year-old Cohen Walls lost his right foot above the ankle on March 20, 2026, when he was accidentally run over by a riding lawn mower at his family home in Chesterfield County. In a moment that began as a typical afternoon, another of Cohen's siblings ran toward the mower, causing Cohen's father to take his foot off the clutch. The mower rolled backward, striking Cohen. He was airlifted to VCU Children's Hospital and underwent two emergency surgeries, including amputation of his right foot just above the ankle.
The accident sent shockwaves through the family, but what followed was a remarkable journey of recovery and community support. Over the following months, doctors fitted Cohen with a prosthetic leg that his mother, Brittney Walls, playfully nicknamed "Nubby." Within days of receiving the prosthetic, Cohen ran out of his doctor's office. Less than a month later, his mobility had advanced so dramatically that Walls marveled at his progress: "He's walking like he's had his prosthetic for six months and it hasn't been a month."
By late June 2026, Cohen was fully mobile and active. His mother took him to Maymont Park, where he spent the day at a petting zoo, took long walks, and jumped on lily pads, activities that would have seemed impossible just weeks earlier. The family has adjusted to a new routine, attending up to six medical appointments weekly as Cohen undergoes ongoing treatment and will require multiple prosthetics annually as he grows.
The community rallied around the Walls family in concrete and meaningful ways. Project:HOMES organized a team of approximately 15 volunteers who built a free accessibility ramp at the family home, completed in about five hours on a Tuesday in late March. Home Depot supplied all materials for the construction. Beyond the ramp, the outpouring included swim lesson offers, donated gift cards, handwritten letters of encouragement from inmates at Buckingham Correctional Center who saw Cohen's story on news coverage, and church donations. Despite the permanence of his injury and the medical challenges ahead, Cohen's resilience and the community's embrace have shaped a recovery narrative of hope and possibility for the young family.
Key players
- Cohen Walls: 2-year-old recovering from lawn mower accident
- Brittney Walls: Mother, advocate for Cohen's recovery and community connection
- Project:HOMES: Volunteer organization that built accessibility ramp for the family
- Home Depot: Donated all materials for ramp installation
- VCU Children's Hospital: Medical facility providing emergency care and prosthetic services
The case for
Cohen's story demonstrates the importance of prosthetic technology and specialized pediatric care in enabling children with limb loss to return to normal, active lives. Early, aggressive physical therapy and access to quality prosthetics allow toddlers to develop mobility and independence during critical developmental windows. Community support systems and accessible design (like the ramp installation) remove practical barriers and affirm that children with disabilities can participate fully in family and community activities alongside their peers.
The case against
The financial and emotional burden of pediatric limb loss is substantial. Cohen will require multiple prosthetics annually as he grows, ongoing surgeries, and continued medical care for years to come. Families facing such injuries often experience significant out-of-pocket costs despite insurance, and the psychological impact of permanent disability on both child and parents should not be minimized. While community support helps, systemic questions remain about equitable access to prosthetic technology and whether all families in similar situations have access to the same quality care and resources the Walls family has received.
Why it matters: Cohen's recovery offers Chesterfield residents a powerful reminder of childhood resilience and the transformative impact of community action. His story also raises awareness about lawn mower safety and the hidden costs of pediatric medical emergencies, prompting conversations about prosthetic access, disability inclusion, and how neighborhoods can support families facing sudden, life-altering crises.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-03-20Lawn Mower Accident: Cohen Walls, age 2, struck by riding lawn mower at family home in Chesterfield County. Airlifted to VCU Children's Hospital; underwent emergency surgeries including amputation of right foot above ankle. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/ramp-for-child-who-lost-foot-march-31-2026)
- 2026-03-31Accessibility Ramp Installation: Project:HOMES volunteers and Home Depot completed construction of free accessibility ramp at Walls family home in approximately five hours, with approximately 15 volunteers participating. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/ramp-for-child-who-lost-foot-march-31-2026)
- 2026-06-29Cohen Fitted with Prosthetic 'Nubby': Cohen received prosthetic leg and demonstrated remarkable progress, running out of doctor's office same day. Within weeks, he progressed to walking, jumping, and full-day outings at parks. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/cohen-recovery-update-june-29-2026)
Related links
- WTVR: Cohen Recovery Update (June 29, 2026)
- WTVR: Community Builds Ramp for Cohen
- WRIC: Toddler Recovering After Lawn Mower Accident
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- WTVR: Cohen Recovery Update (June 29, 2026)
- WTVR: Community Builds Ramp for 2-year-old
- WRIC: Toddler Recovering After Lawn Mower Accident