Zack Bernier, the Clinton teen partially paralyzed in a hiking accident in June was the center of attention at an event held in his honor on Saturday.
Hundreds of people turned out for Zackaroo, a benefit musical festival. The event raised close to $15,000.
Bernier has spent the last couple of months in the hospital and then at a rehab facility following the fall at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.
"I remember most of the day, but not clearly," Bernier said. "I remember being there, and I remember who I was with, I don't remember specifically what happened."
While he is paralyzed from the waist down, Zack is able to get around with the help of a wheelchair and doctors have told him he has made significant progress.
"The community support has just been incredible," Zack's mother Lisa Bernier said. She added that a Facebook page has helped her get through some of the most trying times.
The athletic fields at the Ethel Peters Recreational Complex were turned into concert grounds. All of the ticket sales will go to help the Bernier family in Zack's recovery.
"It's really nice, just everyone coming together especially people I haven't even talked to, just doing it for me," Bernier said.
While the accident put Zack's plans to attend Hofstra University on hold, he said his goal is to get to college by the spring. He said he has to do what he can to remain optimistic.
"Try to get through it as if this wasn't happening," said Bernier. "Try to get through it like anyone else would."
