Gregory Perry, 28, who is paralyzed from his chest down, believes he is closer to walking again.

        He had reconstructive surgery through nerve implantation Aug. 13 in Quito, Ecuador.

        He is on bed rest at his home in Silverton.

        He has a little feeling in his toes now, something he hasn't felt in five years after he was shot twice. One bullet entered his chest, an inch from his heart. Another entered his abdomen near his spinal cord.

        Dr. Carl Kao, who performed the reconstructive surgery, said the heat and vibration from the bullet as it passed his spinal caused a 2-inch collapse in his spinal cord.

        The collapse created an empty space which expands, causing nerve fibers to be disrupted — which causes the paralysis, Dr. Kao said.

        The surgery involved implanting nerves and cells into the empty space, Dr. Kao said.

        “I can even feel the sensation of bladder and bowel functions,” Mr. Perry said. “I can get some feeling in my legs also.”

        But there are a lot of work ahead for him. Once he is taken off bed rest, he begins his rigorous routine of physical therapy.

        He is familiar with the therapy. Prior to his surgery, he would lift himself from his wheelchair onto physical conditioning equipment where he worked out 10 hours a day, six days a week.

        “It is going to be a long process, but I will make it. I will walk again,” he said.

MARIEMONT — Edward Stein became an honorary resident of the village Monday during a celebration of his 102nd birthday.

        Mariemont Mayor Daniel Policastro presented Mr. Stein with a proclamation in the community room at St. Theresa Center in Mariemont.

        Mr. Stein and his wife, Bessie Leisure Stein, lived most of their lives in Cincinnati, where they had five children — among them Cincinnati Post art critic, Jerry Stein.

        “I didn't think anybody should move after they were born here,” Edward Stein said. “I thought they had to stay here. I liked it here all the time.”

        It was Mr. Stein's day in Mariemont, said Mayor Policastro.

        “The Mariemont Theater put a big sign on the marquee honoring him, and the Kroger Co. sent him a big cake,” Mr. Policastro said. “It was a special honor for me to present him a proclamation.”

        Mr. Stein wanted to know if all the festivities meant his rent would be reduced.

        “Oh, no. But I will cut your taxes,” Mr. Policastro told him, jokingly.

        Mr. Stein doesn't pay taxes.

FOREST PARK — William Mack, a retired school teacher, will be inducted into the Fayetteville State University Athletic Hall of Fame, Oct. 19, in Fayetteville, N.C.

        He holds a bachelor of science in education from Fayetteville State and a master's from Indiana University. His teaching career spanned from 1954 to 1983, including 20 years in the Cincinnati Public Schools.

        Mr. Mack was part of the basketball team at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High school in Lexington that won a district and state championship in 1948.

        He was a starting guard at Fayetteville State when the team won three championships from 1948-51.

        Allen Howard's column runs Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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