EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one northeast El Paso family who is feeling extra thankful.
Joshua Serrano was told by doctors he’d be paralyzed from the neck down after a car crash in October.
On Thanksgiving Day his family gathered together and celebrated and appreciated life.
KFOX14 joined Serrano and his family exclusively on his journey back home.
“It’s very exciting to be back home. It’s been a long time coming. It’s a good feeling. I didn’t know it was going to be this soon that I was going to be back home,” Serrano said.
On October 15, Serrano’s life flashed before his eyes.
He was a passenger in a deadly car crash.
RELATED:Man killed in collision on Loop 375; suspect faces intoxication manslaughter charges
Terry Kincade, a Fort Bliss soldier, was driving while intoxicated and admitted to drinking before the deadly crash on Loop 375.
RELATED:Fort Bliss soldier admitted to drinking before deadly crash on Loop 375
Unfortunately, Serrano’s friend, Mario Lopez– who was the driver of the vehicle that Kincade hit– died.
Serrano was rushed to the hospital where doctors said he would be paralyzed.
“Me and my mom have been together the whole month. She’s been by my side through this whole journey and we’re just happy to be back with our friends and family,” Serrano said.
Serrano flew back to El Paso from Austin on Thursday as he was strong enough to leave physical therapy.
“I feel very blessed and I’m grateful that he’s able to walk because, in the beginning, they said he was going to be paralyzed but he beat all odds,” Carolina Gomez said.
Gomez is a strong mother who spent days and nights with her son throughout physical therapy and she was emotional about being back home.
“Coming back on Thanksgiving is awesome. To be here with my whole family and them waiting for him is just grateful. I’m just grateful that everybody is here,” Gomez said.
Being surrounded by friends, family, nieces and nephews, Serrano was grateful.
“It’s very special I can eat some real food now. I can have some good home cooking,” Serrano said.
Serrano graduated in December 2022 with a nursing degree and he said this experience has furthered his commitment to becoming the best nurse he can be.
“I find that the little things are the things that make patient care important, so hopefully I can go forward with those things in my career as soon as I get back to work,” Serrano said.
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