1 Year Later: Firefighter Hurt In Skim Boarding Accident Returns To Beach
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) – Exactly one year after a skim boarding accident that left a Hollywood firefighter wheelchair bound, Derek Avilez returned to Hollywood Beach where he was injured and walked into the water.
With his arms draped over the shoulders of the firefighters who rescued him, Avilez gingerly stepped into the water. Dozens of people – Avilez's family, friends and fellow firefighters – watched on the beach, applauding and shouting words of encouragement.
Avilez's wife, Priscilla, and 3 young children joined him in the water.
Prior to the dip, Avilez told CBS 4 News it was important for his family to be at the beach together.
"This was just a big step for our family," Avilez told CBS 4 News' Carey Codd. "Just to be able to come back to the beach again as a family. We said a prayer just thanking God that I'm alive and that we can still be a family and that I'm not dead."
Avilez spent the past year recovering from a near-death experience after a flip on a skim board landed him on his head which broke his neck. Avilez said after the flip he lay face down in the water and believed his life was over.
As he lay paralyzed, he came to when firefighters were giving him CPR.
Avilez spent six months in the hospital and went home in a wheelchair. After suffering a bruise to his spinal cord and the paralysis, he has defied the expectations and has regained movement in his legs and arms.
He said his immediate goals are simple – like trying to feed himself. Long term, he plans to walk again and one day, return to work for the Hollywood Fire Department.
He admitted there are difficult moments when his children want him to run around and play soccer. But he says he does the best he can.
After the walk into the water, Avilez and his well-wishers gathered for prayer. Then, they took part in a celebration and fund-raiser at the Riptide Hotel. Avilez said while he still has health insurance coverage, it does not meet all of his medical needs. For instance, he undergoes three physical therapy sessions a week. His insurance only covers 30 sessions each year.
Avilez believes firmly that his recovery from a dire prognosis is proof that miracles happen. And he says prayers from countless people have buoyed his spirit and assisted in his recovery.
For now, he accomplished one goal – returning to the scene of his accident and sending a message to anyone facing obstacles.
""I'm not scared at all coming back here," he said. "I just feel such a peace because I know that it's not a sad day at all . It's a day of rejoicing. It's a happy day. I could have died on this beach but I didn't. I'm so grateful. I want to show everybody that miracles happen."
