It's been over two years since Braden Pettinger was paralyzed from the chest down after fracturing his C-5 vertebrae during a hockey game.

However, since the injury, he has been able to regain limited movement in his lower body and has been doing his rehab at the First Step Wellness Centre in Regina.

"I do therapy full time out there (Regina), about five hours a day, Monday to Friday," said Pettinger. "I'm also taking a couple university courses at the same time. Things are going well right now and I'm just grinding away, continuing to get better and stronger every day."

Pettinger's day starts with a couple of hours at the Centre and he returns after lunch for more sessions to help regain his mobility and strength.

"Braden's probably one of the most committed clients we've ever had," said First Step Wellness Centre Exercise Therapist Joel Colter. "He has spent more time in our facility than anybody else. He's also very up to date with all of the research that's going on. He is taking this whole thing pretty seriously."

"They are serious about getting people out of their wheelchairs," said Pettinger. "I'm really happy to be there."

Pettinger has also benefitted from Stem Cell treatments, which have provided a boost and sped up his recovery.

"My goal at the end of the day, it always has been since day one, is to get out of my chair and live life without a wheelchair. That's the end goal and it's a realistic goal for me," he said.

Pettinger recently returned to Winkler for a Sledge Hockey fundraiser and dropped the ceremonial puck to kick off the event.

"I'm really glad to come out here because Winkler and this area was great for me when I had my injury," said Pettinger. "They did a lot of fundraising for me at that time and this community really helped me out a lot back then. It's great to come back out here and do anything I can to help out the community."

Related article: Sledge Hockey Fundraiser Changing Perspectives On Disability (VIDEO)