11 Months After Accident, Jabs Still Making Progress, Inspiring Others

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been almost 11 months since the injury that paralyzed Jack Jablonski. In that time, he has made remarkable progress physically, he has rejoined his classmates in school and he and his family have been able to move back into their home after a renovation to accommodate his disability.

On Sunday, the Benilde St. Margaret's player was named the winner of the CBS Courage in Sports Award. The award honors an athlete whose story has been inspirational.

Jablonski watched the program with family and friends at the headquarters of the Minnesota Wild. He won the CBS Courage in Sports award because thousands voted for him on Facebook.

It's been 10 and a half months since a hit on the ice left him paralyzed. Now, Jablonski is back with his class at Benilde St. Margaret's after being tutored all summer.

After nine months the Jablonskis have moved back to their South Minneapolis home where they installed an elevator for Jack.

Five days a week, he goes to the Courage Center's Able program. The therapy costs $18,000 for three months and is not covered by insurance. It's paid for by donations raised by Jabby13.com, a fund that pays for his medical expenses.

Jablonski and his family continue to be huge hockey fans and they have successfully helped push for tougher penalties at the youth and high school levels -- for the kinds of hits that paralyzed Jablonski.

Jablonski's 14-year-old brother, Max, continues to play youth hockey and wears Jack's No. 13.

Watch Esme Murphy's report above for more.