Posted at: 07/21/2009 4:54 PM
Updated at: 07/21/2009 5:46 PM
By: Eyewitness News 4

Teen walks again after bull riding injury

Corbin Carpenter

After a rodeo accident in the Four Corners last year, doctors told a teen he would never walk again. But with perseverance and a lot of hard-work, he�s proving the experts wrong.

Colbin Carpenter, 18, traveled back to Farmington Tuesday to give his thanks to supporters. It�s been a difficult road back for the Louisiana teen after the injury he sustained at last year�s National High School Finals rodeo event.

Hayes was on a roll, but then tragedy struck: He was thrown off a bull and trampled, which crushed his back.

Though doctors said he would never walk again, Colbin is walking again and almost fully healed.

Colbin's mom, Theresa wrote a book about her son's recovery, "Spurs, Chaps and Faith."

"It talks about the timeline of his recovery, the hardships that he has endured throughout this, and just how God has blessed us and is still blessing us," she said.

Colbin also gives credit to people in Farmington who offered their support.

"These people did a lot for me and I figured it'd be the right thing to do to come back here and thank everybody," he said.

Colbin is also speaking at area churches about his recover. He plans to start competing professionally again by the end of the year.