A Young Man’s Devine Surprise

There was a time a little guy was born, as growing up he had a healthy childhood. His family was supportive in everything he did. They had the best holidays and celebrated all his birthdays. At this point everything was great. He grew up kind of fast. As he turned 16 years old, he had decided to take on a bigger responsibility. He ended up getting a girlfriend, she got pregnant. So, he had to get a job, and a little apartment for his here come, new family. Well currently everything, seem to be going well. I mean he was doing his best, being young. Enjoying this new experience, which was being executed very well.

Soon he arrived at nineteen years of age. The young man’s name was Louis. Now Louis was doing very well and decided to take his experience to the next level. He expanded his trade he came to be a master tradesman. He moved to the next city over. He was incredibly happy indeed, he was! As time moved on, she had the baby, and he was now living in a new city. Then came a day, it was a Friday! And filled with excitement, it was a Father’s Day Weekend! And Louis was wrapping up, his day at work. He got a message from his manager, right before he left. The main man wants to chat with you, my boss! What did you do?” Louis chuckled, I do not know, I been doing my work and I have been on time. So, the day ended, and Louis went to the general manager’s onsite job trailer. Knock, knock hey Louis sit down.

I wanted to let you know I have been watching and observing your work. And quite frankly I am quite impressed. I decided to let you run the four onsite crews. The supervisors will report to you. And you will report to me ok capish “chuckles”! I know it is a lot to soak but you have superb qualities.

Wow and your how old? “nineteen” nice you got a bright future with the company WELCOME! That is it, have a great weekend! And Happy Father’s Day! Now go and enjoy the weekend! Will discuss your upgraded pay rate come Monday morning. “Wow ok what a great surprise boss!” Thank you! It is in your work ethic. I know you will be fine. Congratulations!

Now, mind you the boy was already making great money. So, he went and shared the great news with his girlfriend. At this point, it seemed he saw his life coming together. And this made him immensely proud of the surprising accomplishment.

So, it was an incredibly special weekend because not only was it Father's Day! He was driving out to his hometown. To visit his parents and share the great news that he received at work. They arrived, and they had a great Father Day weekend! That Sunday felt kind of odd to Louis! Yet he did not realize that his life was to change dramatically.

It got late here that Sunday evening, So Louis drove off with his family back to his city. To start his new position. As he got on the highway, it seemed that Louis and his family never made home! Thirty minutes away from his town.

The sirens were yelling very loudly down the highway.

The Accident.

Ring, ring, ring a call was extended to Louis's father about 1:30 am! "Hello," Yes may I speak to the parents of Mr. Louis Sarrito. " This is his father, what can I do for you?" Yes, my name is Donna calling from the Sherriff's department. I know it's early morning, sorry to say your son and his family have been in a car accident. On highway I19 a half hour from the City of the Sun.

What, WHAT! Is he ok? What happen OH, MY GOD!

Mr. Sarrito, I do apologize for the bad news. I am calling to advise that your son is in critical condition and was transported by helicopter to The New Hope Hospital. When you get there, you will be provided with more details. As to the conditions of your son and the others in the vehicle.

Sorry for the bad news, May God sends his Blessing to You and the Family!

As his parents woke and got dressed, their worst fear seemed to have hit home. With anguish and confusion going thru their minds. And not knowing what to expect made things worst. It brought silent tears to their eyes. Quietly they both got into their vehicle. The ride was silent not much said. As they got closer to the city they drove right where the vehicle had crashed. Once they passed that milepost. To see the severity of the damages, skid marks, and the left-over debris. His mother started hysterically crying in pain for her son. His father is as strong, yet the sad song started to play the reality.

As they arrived in the hospital, they were met by the doctors. The doctor advised that their son was in an automobile accident and that he was in critical care and he suffered a c5,c6,c7 compression fracture of the spinal cord. Mr. and Mrs. Sarrito your son is currently in a coma. When, if he comes out of it, he will be paralyzed. He suffered head trauma, he may be mentally unstable and, may not fully recover.

His parents were in an utter state of shock. They asked the doctors if they could see him. They warned him that he was bruised and swollen from head to toe. There was an emergency surgery conducted and it was phenomenally successful! Understand he is stable! We put a halo brace on him to try to straighten the spinal cord. ‘now this halo brace was a big crown that went around his head metal rod went down and the mounts rested on his shoulders. On the sides of his forehead, they drilled bolts in his skull and as well as the sides of his head. You stay as strong as possible.

The police investigators shortly arrived, After Louis’s parents got to the hospital. They explained that it was a rollover accident. They stated they received multiple calls about an accident on milepost 1111. As we arrived, we saw the truck wreckage as we approached the vehicle. The was 1 lady and two children. The baby was crying we were able to get the baby out. An older female was lying unconscious, as well as a younger female same condition. They were all rescued yet in transport. The paramedic said that the older woman regained consciousness. And said hysterically, “my daughter’s father out there!” What there another person out there? “yes, yes my baby's dad!” The paramedic call dispatch to advise the authorities.

The officer and firefighters indicated that they did not see anyone in the immediate area. So, they called a helicopter in. They found your son ejected 75 yards from the vehicle. He had no pulse upon arrival. from the time of the accident till we got there. The individual, your son was decease for 1hour and 55miutes the paramedics immediately got to work. We revived him and airlifted him to the hospital.

Thru the time he was in a coma. Many family members and friends came to visit and shared their thoughts with him while he was in a comma sedated rest.

Louis remained in that coma then one day 7 months later. Louis happens to WAKE! As the light seems to seep thru his eyelids. Then as he was awakening, still trying to focus ascending out of darkness, deep sleep of pure healing. Seem that his body had to take a moment to heal. From that brutal impact with tons of velocity. So, Louis finally focused and saw clear! His brother on the side of a hospital bed. At that instant, Louis did not know what was happening yet. Yet something inside Louis’s soul he knew he was injured; something was not right.

Louis was simply happy to wake up and see his brother by him.

The Great Awakening.

As the haze cleared from Louis’s eye’s then, he thought. Wow, this I see my brother so sad. Well, let me liven up my brother, here! You know at this point! His little brother Ronnie had no idea that his brother Louis was coming out of the comma. So, Louis picks his arms up and crossed them in a choking position. And started making straggled sighs!! Yet at his point, his brother was in a full state of panic! He started yelling for his father. Dad, DAD there is something wrong with my brother. As he looks back at the hospital bed.

“I got you!” Louis at this point at him awakening from the comma. He could not laugh or talk much. but he smiled with enlightenment and a heart of love. The family and all his friends and family were incredibly happy that Louis had come out of the comma. Now that he had resurrected from a sedated coma state of being.

The following day the doctors started running a lot of tests. They ask a lot of questions to see if Louis's memory was affected, he was diagnosed. With short-term memory loss. Yet thru it all, it seems that he was grateful that he was able to be getting stronger. For a moment, his lungs were so bruised that within the time of healing. The doctors were going thru a hole in his neck. An existing procedure that took place at the scene of the accident. They had to cut a hole in his throat to breathe, a tracheostomy. Well, Louis was able to gain enough strength to breathe on his own. So, the doctors will be able to proceed to have the trach tube from your throat. In a couple of days Louis!

The most divesting part of the consultation with the doctor at this point was when they said? Mr. Sarrito? Due to the severity of the trauma that occurred to the spinal cord. You may never be able to walk again. You are paralyzed! Now we are not able to say how much will return. Also, the swelling is getting better. From this point, all you do is hope for the best. Keep giving it all you got. Your therapy shall commence, here shortly. You will have to adapt to a new way of living. And we know you got it on you to make the best out of how you want your new life to become. Ultimately, it is going to be all up to you!

Well, his thoughts were very cloudy still about the new situation. Louis was thinking like wow I am pretty much beat down and hurt.

Yet his greatest support was his mother. As Louis sat in a huge Cadillac wheelchair, outside on the balcony with his mom. Just before he was going to be transferred and transported to the hospital in his hometown. He cried and said Mom why would something so horrible happen to me! Mom looks at me I am so hurt. Mijo, baby cry, cry it is ok. Now let me tell you only God knows! All I know is son, my boy the Lord could have taken you from us! Now we all go thru our up and downs and accidents and recovering to get back up and to healthy living again. Now realized my son you survived, and you are alive. I am hereby your side and proud to be talking to you this moment my baby. Rather than me planning your burial. I Love You Son, and I am here with you. And we are together going to help you get strong again ok my love. I understand mom, thank you! Let us do this, the pain will heal. And I will recover to the absolute best of my abilities. I got this, it just hurt so bad at times. And that is good my son, it tells you it is something you need to work on it, yourself, and heal. Well, let us get you inside. For tomorrow you have a trip back to your hometown, let take you home!

Good Morning Louis! “Good morning nurse, I go back today?” Yes, you do, the paramedics will be here at 1 pm to take you back home.

I think I overheard one of the nurses saying your to be going to St. Mary’s Hospital. Also, here in 10 minutes, the doctor will arrive to remove the trach from your throat. By the way here comes the doctor, to do it now!

Hello Louis, wow it seems you are going home today, well at least to your hometown! Bet you are excited! “I am!” Well, you are going to St Mary’s Hospital. “Yes, the nurse told me already.” So that is where you will start your therapy, to get you out of the hospital. And you can start living your life again. “Oh, doctor that's going to be a while. I mean, my life has been altered. I have to learn to live life without the use of my legs.” I understand Louis, yet you will manage to adapt. Many have and many have done many things in this life worthy of your exact circumstances. So, if you go with a good confident outlook. I could assure you it will pay off. But it is all in you. Louis, we are going to now pull this trach out, you do not need it anymore. Ok left your head. “Doctor is it going to hurt. Ahh,” The doctor seemed to have just pulled it out! It hurt for the moment, then it just stayed sore. He put a goss over it. Then the doctor said, it will close by itself!

Well, Louis, this is farewell! And I want you to know that you, have everything it takes to overcome your obstacles. And you can and may achieve many great things. If your heart genuinely wants it. Do not give up, every challenge is an experience to gain strength to be better next time that challenge comes your way again. Your ways and a lot of your routines now will be changed to different methods of living. You will be fine, get well! Safe travels!

Back home facing the real reality

As the ambulance arrived back to Louis hometown. He was admitted into the hospital. As he arrived midafternoon. The doctors, therapists, and nurses were available for Louis to meet. As each doctor came with a specified type of practice that they were looking into with Louis. There was no time wasted that following morning at 7 am. That had a long day waiting for Louis. As the therapy commenced to provide the essentials. Learning to live out of a wheelchair, also, there was a lot of strength training. Many different sessions physicals, vocational therapies. So, this was consistent for 3 weeks. Were the doctors, nurses, and therapists being real proud of Louis? He made phenomenal progress! Well, Louis are you ready to go home?

The day came where Louis was released from the hospital. The hospital staff was incredibly happy to see Louis leaving the hospital. For Louis had spent so many months in the hospital. It was nice to see him go home by now. As his parents waited excitedly to get him to the vehicle. As Louis’s parents got his belongings. While his father pushed him down the hospital hallway. They finally arrive in the parking lot. His father says, “stay here I’m going pull the truck around?”

He pulls up and says wow dad! A brand-new truck! “Yes, we just bought it last weekend.” Louis’s father turns the vehicle off, walks around his truck. He asks his son to put his arms around his neck and says hold on. “you think you can do it?” Of course, dad I have gotten stronger in my therapy sessions. Then he replied, “will see now hold on tight!”

So, as they were all ready to depart from the hospital pickup/dropoff zone. And the vehicle starts to accelerate. As Louis’s body soul and mind inside were terrified of being in this vehicle. The same type of machine of that magnitude almost took my life. He had a very uneasy feeling like just be a careful dad!

The Home Front.

The Sarrito family arrives back home. There have a lot of modifications done to the home to accommodate the wheelchair. As Louis’s routines were all different This was Louis’s new way of living. Yet the next 12 months he was in intensive therapy sessions. It was vastly different for him from getting up in the morning to going even going to bed at night. There was a routine for everything. Louis’s had very, little functionality of his hands. It seems the first year was very, challenging for him. Like doing the simple day-to-day little functionalities. Like tying shoes, buttoning his shirts seems everything was to be a challenge. Doing and trying different methods when trying to figure ways to adapt to make it work for him. He would tell his dad and mom. One day I am going to do everything for myself. Watch Mom and Dad at times very frustrated.

One night as he laid to rest, he started to think. About his situation and his condition. It saddens him because he had to understand that he was different now. He was in a wheelchair now! And encountered so many challenges and sad emotions. The reality of his circumstance, where he started, what was encountered, in a matter of seconds his life was changed.

His most embarrassing moment realizing his pride being bashed with dreams that were shattered. The thoughts were more vivid now, especially with the alcohol and amongst other things. Currently playing a role in the mind of his broken-down heart and soul. The moments from what was? To the moments of what is? In the reality of his world. Made it difficult to understand.

So a couple of years past has gotten much stronger physically and mentally. Louis continues to maintain his therapies gained strength and get his thoughts in order. He was finally gaining the strength to do his normal functionalities. As he mentioned he would accomplish. So, he decided to expand and venture out. Start a new life, yes it was different.

Louis was back in Tucson and was starting over again. Yet it did not seem to scare him, I mean he just did it! Louis went and got a job got a little income coming and by this time. He was already also getting social security. So he was doing alright, starting to build his life’s foundation again. So, he started to create structure sleep, work sleep work. But in between a lot of beer drinking at the bar amongst other things. All I got to say is Louis seemed always to have a good time! Never a dull moment. That is what made him unique. Yet always seem to go to work and hold on to his jobs. Once he knew he could build from! Louis’s father never understood that concept. Louis’s had to play life a certain way to get where he was going. He caught that real quick! As Louis continues to work, He encountered new situations on a daily. Come figure being in the public eye, was a game-changer.

At this stage in Louis’s life, he was still trying to grasp everything about his body. Yet out there he needed to be, free outside. Just being inside stuck and not doing much was not his idea of fun? He saw many people that way. Louis refused to stay in that type of position. He figured if he is stuck and stagnant if he put your mind in that way of thinking, so mote it be! His father bought him a vehicle to help get him out of the house. And they put hand controls in it! Louis felt so liberated, almost forgot how it feels good to be driving. And he almost forgot how the wind felt. Blowing thru his hair! That experience was so grand! For he had not driven for so many years! Yet at this point it was automatic! He built himself up, got an apartment traded in his vehicle.

About six years passed and still going strong with being employed. Alcohol as well played major factors, in Louis's life at his time! Yet it is true what they eventually it does all come to an end! Seems the same patterns started setting in heavy. For Louis the first-year wow, the most amazing parties with the best party favors. But it quickly dissolved people changed. People lost trust, lots were arrested. He lost his job, Louis had to move back to his father’s house.

Recharge and moving on.

As Louis returned to his dad's nothing was spoken about why he went back. Guess everybody knew, it was not that bad. I mean the job let Louis go, do to something completely unrelated to his lifestyle. And he was getting severance pay. So, Louis steps back and analyzed himself and his thoughts? He knew this life is not good for him. It is not doing him no good. He knew down deep inside it is not going to take him anywhere if he stayed. Now that Louis was confident in his new disabled circumstances. And he knew he will be fine and have his independent lifestyle. He thought, "I’m going to do it, I’m going to move back!"

With a spirit full of confidence and determination!

His father and his wife pull up to his brother David’s place. As Louis was getting ready to depart. For he was leaving here that morning. As they were finishing their visit and leaving my brother’s apartment. Louis said hey dad…

“You know just to let you know and say I mentioned it to you. Well, I got a job in the City of the Sun, I start Monday. Also, tomorrow my mom and my cousins will be helping me. To get moved into an apartment I have secured as well. It has been approved already. So, I’m ready to move and start my new life over again!”

As Louis’s father and his wife Mary were walking to their vehicle. Louis’s telling his father all the steps that he had taken place out loud. To make his dad know he was secure. Yet at this point, his anger was more overwhelming. For Louis to see the reaction of his father enraged. Because Louis decided to move out on his own and in his condition! Then the atomic bomb hit the vibrations in the air!! “WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE IT! For heaven's sake, you are in a wheelchair and an alcoholic. YOU WON"T MAKE IT!” His father hit his gas pedal hard. In his brand-new truck! With the tire squealing as his anger flowed thru his veins. For those were the best words, Louis could hear. For the words were very impactful in Louis’s journey. Yet he knowing his Mom was helping him. He had a sense of security that his son was going to be fine!

For that morning, Louis’s new second return to the City of the Sun was coming together. He went and picked up his Mom. And met his cousins at the gas station. For his cousin, Ricky loaded all my furniture in his big ice truck. It was a good feeling going back to his city. For the hometown was not making his success. He expanded, for this started a whole new type of living conditions. Yet Louis was challenged to certain conditions, at this point! Louis is alone in his apartment. Yet excited that he was employed, and it all fell together in perfect alignments. He started a position in the financial industry as he has been working for the last four years. The job gave him an offer? He accepted and it was a great fit for him. Seems thru his perseverance and knowing his qualities. The manager hired him for a brand-new position. Which the payout was very outstanding! Louis was so thankful, He thanked the hiring manager, the employee benefits and pay rate structure were outstanding! Well, welcome to the company. Again, Louis was in deep appreciation, you deserve it, Louis! It seems Louis’s work there for a couple of years then moved on thru a hand full of jobs. Moving from different cities around the City of the Sun and its vicinity. And of course, thru out the time of moving here was involved in different relationships nothing serious. Because Louis’s building a foundation, he did not hold any relationship down till later down the line.

Louis built a solid foundation by now with his new living circumstances and accepted the fact that there was nothing stopping him from moving forward well so he thought. He married a Navajo woman that lasted two years. And Louis’s recent relationship was not at all that great. He was physically and mentally abused! It’s been three years, since Louis left those horrible experiences.

Louis’s now is incredibly happy and now mentally and physically stable again. Louis is starting over again, has his visions set for the World and Beyond. He knows of his journey. And has discovered some amazing attributes about himself! Love Peace and Happiness, Stay Pristine My Friends!