LEWISTON, N.Y. — Whether it's tying his shoe, or walking around his kitchen, 13-year-old Gavin Burns is grateful for every step.

"I didn't think I was going to live," he remembered.

In June 2018, Gavin was in an accident. After being taken by Mercy Flight, he was at Oishei Children's Hospital for 17 days.

Ultimately, his left foot had to be amputated, along with a portion of his leg.

"There was no 'I can't' or 'I won't,'" said Jackie Burns, Gavin's mom.

Jackie says all the support kept him — and the whole family — going.

"There was ‘we will’ and ‘we will do whatever we want to do,’" she added.

Thankfully, Gavin was able to come home.  

Forget rest and relaxation: this Lewiston 7th grader is determined to run again. Just two weeks ago, Nelson's Prosthetics and Orthotic Laboratory in Cheektowaga wanted to make Gavin's dream possible.

"I thought for sure we were going to need some therapy, a lot of practice — and to my surprise, he just put it on and took off," said Jackie Burns.

His goal now? To run a marathon.

But like anything, it's one step at a time — literally.

"This one, he walked so much trying to run and stuff, he put a hole in the bottom of his foot," explained Jackie, as she showed one of Gavin's old prosthetics.

With a new training suit from former Niagara County Sheriff James Votour, along with his new Buffalo Bills-themed prosthetic leg, the sky is the limit for Gavin.

"I hope other families know that when you have your ups and your downs, you will get up again," added Gavin's father, Jason Burns, hoping to give encouragement to other families that are in the same or a similar situation.

A 13-year-old who’s an inspiration for others. He truly is #GavinStrong.