CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - An injured University of Miami student returned to campus on a new prosthetic leg after stepping on an explosive in Central Park, over the Fourth of July weekend.
Eighteen-year-old Connor Golden is back on his feet and said he is excited to be standing again while going back to class at UM, Tuesday.
Doctors had no choice but to amputate his leg below the knee.
New York City Police said they believe the explosive that injured Connor was a homemade firework.
Part of the device was tracked to a nearby bakery, but investigators haven’t yet found anyone who might have been responsible. Police said they had no reason to suspect a planned attack.
Connor’s father never doubted his son’s ability to return to school after the accident.
“Connor is so resilient, such a powerful person individually, and I think he’s going to do just fine,” Kevin Golden said in July at a press conference.
He said he remains grateful for all the people who pitched in money to help pay for his prosthetic leg.
UM will host an open mic night on Wednesday, at 8 p.m., to help raise money for him at the UM Hillel. The event is $7 to attend.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for him.
Golden wrote on his GoFundMe page in part, “I cannot find words that adequately express my gratitude for how much hope and support you all have given me. It is a beautiful thing to see how many people are by my side when a tragedy like this strikes.”
But even with that support, the road for Connor remains long.
While the honors student studies for exams at UM, he’s also learning how to walk with his prosthetic leg.
Connor is hoping his passion for music will help raise the money he desperately needs for his recovery, Wednesday night.
The support he has received is not something Connor takes for granted.
“You’ll see that I’m smiling in the photo. That’s not just because I’m happy to begin walking again,” Connor stated. “It’s also because I am so grateful for the huge amount of love and caring that has taken me from the shock of July 3 in Central Park … to standing on my new leg.”
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