A 2-year-old boy continues to recover at Tampa General Hospital after he lost part of a leg during a lawn mower accident.
Monday, surgeons helped prepare Zayden Collins’ leg for a future prosthetic.
"The doctor decided with the family to amputate up to about three inches below his knee, due to the prosthetic being a lot easier to help him run and be a normal boy," said uncle Chris Littlepage.
Authorities said the boy's mother was riding a commercial zero-turn lawn mower at their Spring Hill home last weekend, when Zayden came running toward the mower. His mom turned it off, but the blade was still spinning. Zayden fell on the wet grass, and his leg slipped under the mower.
Zayden’s uncle said his nephew doesn't quite understand yet what he's lost, and he’s being very strong for his very young age.
"When the family's in there and he's able to talk to us, he's bright-eyed and bushy tailed,” he said. “He's smiling, laughing. I'm playing hide and go seek with him and you know, hiding by his bed and jumping up. It's amazing that something traumatic and he's still able to hold his head up."
Family members have rallied around the boy, as well as a nearby elementary school to help raise money for his recovery. A fundraiser car wash is also planned for this upcoming weekend.
"Hopefully after he gets out of the hospital and we do some physical therapy, we'll go to Orlando and be able to fit him for the prosthetic and be able to teach him how to be able to walk with the prosthetic," said Littlepage.
Family members said they've been in touch with the mother of Ireland Nugent, the little girl who lost her legs in a lawn mower accident in 2013. At some point, the families plan to have the two kids meet for support.