Paraplegic El Paso man gets help from Pay It Forward to achieve goal
EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — The Pay It Forward team is helping an El Paso man get closer to achieving his goal after being paralyzed due to a crash he was involved in seven years ago.
Julio Hernandez was driving back to El Paso on August 14, 2014, from his work in the oil fields. He had worked for 16 hours and while driving back home he fell asleep on the wheel.
“I was feeling tired and I just wanted to get home and see my family,” said Hernandez.
He rear-ended an 18-wheeler.
“The 18-wheeler didn’t feel me when I rear-ended him so he dragged me like a mile and a half,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez's wife Rocio Hernandez said law authorities transported him to a hospital in El Paso.
“He a destroyed ankle. He had other situations,” she said.
Hernandez said he underwent two surgeries and said when he woke up after the surgeries, he could not feel his legs, toes, or anything from waist down.
That’s when the doctors told Hernandez he was going to be paraplegic.
“Yes, I cried, yes I felt lost. I felt like giving up. But at that moment I learned and said giving up isn’t going to get me anywhere. Giving up is going to teach my 3-year-old that when there is a bad that comes to your life, I’ll just give up.” Rocio Hernandez said.
Hernandez started doing therapy. He met Cristina Belle Hernandez his physical therapist.
“She took me under her wing and started pushing me,” Hernandez said.
He doesn’t give up and shows a lot of heart and so for that, I don’t give up,” said Cristina Hernandez. “His wife and his daughter are his biggest motivation.
“I’m very grateful for Belle. Her coming into our life has been priceless,” said Rocio Hernandez.
Hernandez said his goal is to one day walk again.
The Pay It Forward team gave Hernandez a $1,000 check to help him continue to achieve his goal.
RECOMMENDED: Pay It Forward stories
Sign up to receive the topmost interesting stories from in and around our community once a day to your inbox.
