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The road to recovery continues for former NMSU Aggie Shawn Harrington

The road to recovery for former NMSU Aggie Shawn Harrington has been long, but he hasn't gone through it alone.

The support of NMSU fans, and the help of a former college coach have helped in his journey.

Even though Harrington's time with the Aggies was short, fans never forgot him, and they were there for him when he needed them the most.

"The people of Las Cruces, I can't express my gratitude enough. Everytime I'm there it's just like I'm still home," Harrington said.

A star player for NMSU during the 1995-1996 season, Harrington's story goes beyond the basketball court.

In 2014, Harrington was shot in his hometown of Chicago in what authorites have said was a case of mistaken identity.

Harrington's daughter was with him at the time of the shooting, but he was able to protect her by shielding her from the gunfire.

Harrington was left paralyzed, unable to walk.

With the help of his former coach at NMSU, Rus Bradburd, Harrington has been able to get his life back on track.

Harrington recently moved into an apartment in Chicago, but he's in need of some help to make the apartment more accessible to his needs.

He says the doorways need to be widened and the countertops need to be lowered.

Bradburd started a GoFundMe account to help raise money to make those renovations to Harrington's apartment.

"Since starting the GoFundMe it looks like we can do this," Bradburd said. "We're close, we have a chance of completing this and giving Shawn Harrington a new life."

The response has been overwhelming with more than $80,000 raises so far.

One donation came from former Chicago Bull and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

Harrington admits he was a bit starstruck learning one of his idols donated to his cause.

"I was a big time Bulls fan, always have been and always will be," Harrington said. "So to get acknowlegded by someone who is considered a superstar here in Chicago, a legend like Steve Kerr, it's just another blessing in all of this that's going on."

If you would like to help Harrington on his road to recovery, click on the link below.

It will take you to Harrington's GoFundMe account.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/independence-for-shawn-harrington

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Adrian Ochoa

Adrian Ochoa is ABC-7’s Sports Director.

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