CLEVELAND -- It happened thousands of miles away, but the crash of a Blackhawk helicopter hit home for a Strongsville family.

Army Sgt. Mark Lalli, 22, barely survived the crash over Italy.

"The doctors in Italy were telling us to be prepared for the worst, don't expect him to make it through it," said Lalli's brother, Peter.

Mark Lalli was on of 11 U.S. servicemen on board, six of whom didn't survive.

The Strongsville native was in a coma and his family hoped and prayed for a miracle.

That crash was almost a year ago, and Lalli is making big strides.

"I broke lots of bones. I fractured my skull, ribs, shattered pelvis," said Mark Lalli.

He also suffered a brain injury that affects his ability to walk. That's why he is in a Tampa facility that specializes in traumatic brain and spinal chord injuries.

A high-tech machine called the Locomat is designed to retrain the brain while working the muscles.

"The mission here is clear to me. These individuals are America's heroes and they deserve the best medical care we can give," said Dr. Robert Shapiro, of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital.

Mark Lalli's family said he is funny, kind and adventurous. He loved to climb mountains and now he is determined to succeed in the most challenging climb yet by taking one step at a time.

He is expected to be at the Tampa hospital for another six to nine months and then his rehab will likely continue on an outpatient basis.