Doctors Didn’t Expect Him to Wake Up. Now a San Antonio Father Is Inspiring Thousands.
Von Ormy— Five months ago, Julian Ramirez’s family was preparing for the unimaginable.
The 24-year-old tow truck driver had stopped to help another motorist along Loop 410 when police say he was struck by a driver who never stopped.
The injuries were devastating.
Julian lost his right leg. He suffered multiple strokes, severe brain injuries, broken bones throughout his body and underwent emergency surgeries as doctors fought to save his life.
His mother, Brandy Salinas, says doctors warned the family not to expect Julian to wake up, move or communicate.
Instead, he began proving them wrong.
After spending 137 days hospitalized, Julian finally returned home in Southwest Bexar County, where he continues an extensive recovery surrounded by the people who never stopped believing in him.
But Brandy says the crash didn’t only change Julian’s life.
It changed the lives of six children who now watch their father overcome challenges they are still too young to fully understand. They are all under age 6.
“It hurts because I know they want their dad to play with them,” Brandy said. “The key word is ‘yet.'”
Julian’s determination has inspired thousands of people across San Antonio who have followed his recovery over the past several months. One person nominated him for the Cash for Kindness prize.
To recognize that strength, FOX SA and DJC Law, surprised Julian and his family with $1,000.
Brandy says the financial gift means a great deal, but the encouragement from complete strangers has been just as powerful.
“Don’t give up,” she said. “Keep having faith in humanity and keep doing the right thing. Love each other. As long as that happens, there’s still some good in the world.”
Although Julian’s recovery is far from over, his family says they refuse to define him by what happened that day.
Instead, they hope people remember what he continues to prove every day.
As Brandy put it:
“They didn’t stop him… they just slowed him down.”
The Cash for Kindness prize is awarded as (2) $500 American Express gift cards.