Doctors Didn’t Expect Him to Wake Up. Now a San Antonio Father Is Inspiring Thousands.<\/p>\n
Von Ormy\u2014 Five months ago, Julian Ramirez’s family was preparing for the unimaginable.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The injuries were devastating.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
His mother, Brandy Salinas, says doctors warned the family not to expect Julian to wake up, move or communicate.<\/p>\n
Instead, he began proving them wrong.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But Brandy says the crash didn’t only change Julian’s life.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“It hurts because I know they want their dad to play with them,” Brandy said. “The key word is ‘yet.'”<\/p>\n
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<\/a> prize.<\/p>\n To recognize that strength, FOX SA and DJC Law, <\/a>surprised Julian and his family with $1,000.<\/p>\n Brandy says the financial gift means a great deal, but the encouragement from complete strangers has been just as powerful.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Although Julian’s recovery is far from over, his family says they refuse to define him by what happened that day.<\/p>\n Instead, they hope people remember what he continues to prove every day.<\/p>\n As Brandy put it:<\/p>\n “They didn’t stop him… they just slowed him down.”<\/p>\n The Cash for Kindness<\/a> prize is awarded as (2) $500 American Express gift cards.<\/p>\n