Photos: The way back

Inside the family home in Carlsbad, Aaron sits in his bedroom.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Getting ready for his first day of school, Aaron fixes his hair at home in Isla Vista.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Photos and messages for Aaron rest on a shelf at his family’s home in Carlsbad.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Between therapy appointments at a rehabilitation center in Encinitas, Aaron takes a breather.   (Christina House / For The Times)

A UC Santa Barbara lacrosse teammate hugs Aaron at a game at USC. It would have been his first collegiate game.  (Christina House / For The Times)

During a fitting for his prosthetic legs in San Diego, Aaron checks his cellphone.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Aaron undergoes hand therapy at a rehabilitation center in Encinitas.  (Christina House / For The Times)

UC Santa Barbara lacrosse teammates laugh with Aaron after their game at USC.  (Christina House / For The Times)

A physical therapist works with Aaron at a rehabilitation center in Encinitas.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Hanging out with his friends, Aaron drives to lunch with Sean Harvey in Encinitas.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Aaron watches as friends Drew Ramsey, left, and Sean Harvey play video games in his bedroom at home in Carlsbad.  (Christina House / For The Times)

As Aaron sits alone, his UC Santa Barbara lacrosse teammates wind down after their game at USC.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Aaron stands up on a pair of prosthetic legs during a fitting at Peter Harsch Prosthetics in San Diego.   (Christina House / For The Times)

The running legs get a tryout at Aaron’s home in Carlsbad.  (Christina House / For The Times)

It’s back to class -- Aaron’s first as a freshman again at UC Santa Barbara.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Aaron walks to class at UC Santa Barbara during his first week back on campus.   (Christina House / For The Times)

On his first day back on campus, Aaron picks up reading materials.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Daniel Lim, left, one of Aaron’s housemates in Isla Vista, was among friends who found Aaron sick in his dorm room more than a year ago.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Aaron pedals to UC Santa Barbara.  (Christina House / For The Times)