Former Humboldt Broncos hockey player Ryan Straschnitzki has today taken his first steps since he was paralyzed from the waist down in a bus crash that injured 13 and took the lives of 16 team members and staff in Saskatchewan in April 2018.

Humboldt Broncos player takes his first steps after a life-chaining surgery he had following the 2018 bus crash that left him paralyzed below the waist 👏- 📹 @strazsr #Saskatchewan #Inspiring #Inspirational #Canada pic.twitter.com/RyqUOY1jmb

— Freshdaily (@freshdaily) November 20, 2019

The 20-year-old left his home province to undergo experimental spinal surgery in Thailand earlier this month. The procedure entailed the implantation of an epidural stimulator, a treatment option not yet available in Canada.

Last week, his father posted a video showing Straschnitzki moving his leg on his own from a seated position.

Today, he was filmed walking with the help of physical therapists and a device for balance.

Crazy to feel so invested in someone you never met but I am rooting for this young man every step of the way!!! To go through all of that and keep fighting is just incredible 🥰❤️❤️❤️

— Nicole Becker (@Crazy4OReilly90) November 20, 2019

Much of the country was deeply affected by the tragic bus accident, and residents have been avidly following updates about the handful of survivors ever since.

The older Straschnitzki has been posting about his son's progress on Twitter, where he also recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding Jess Allen and her remarks about "white boys" who play hockey in Canada by making his own questionable comments about The Social host's appearance, among other things.