Do you believe in Miracles?

I had regained consciousness after being in a coma for 21 days. Opening my eyes, I see three doctors near me, not sure; if I was dreaming or dead, I try to smile. The doctor was saying something, explaining what had happened, but my mind was far away, wondering, “where am I? How did I get here”? I hear the doctor, “you will never walk again, we’ve done everything we can, but you are paralyzed and will be bedridden forever.” His words bring me back to reality, I am alive, but “you will not walk again,” the words echo in my head, “never walk again.” I try to focus on those words, to understand the realization of not walking again, ever? my body begins to shake, and tears blur my vision, I mumble, “what?” “Your spine has crushed, your spinal code severed, no one can survive this kind of injury, but you did, and you should be happy, it is a miracle you are alive!” Miracle? Miracle? I was back in that painful night when I had hit rock bottom of helplessness, when I had lost all hope, ready to give up and give in. That brutal night, beaten until I was unconscious, I have cried out to God, out of desperation, challenging God, promising never to pray again unless he showed me a miracle. That was the night I found the courage to believe, not to give up, but the strength to challenge, to face death with the hope of living; I have jumped off the fourth-floor balcony to escape my employer who would have killed me with the brutal abuse that I suffered daily.

That day in the hospital bed, surrounded by the doctors, I refused to believe their medical diagnosis that I would never walk again. I have survived the fall, given a second chance in life, and it was up to me to take that chance, believe in the miracle, and continue the miracle to walk again. I can’t say it was a comfortable journey, to suffer through the physical confinements, going above and beyond limitations, breaking barriers to believe in the impossible, to believe in the dream of walking again. It took me long painful three years, but I did it! My recovery, my wisdom came with a price. Just like Newton’s Law, I had to pay the consequences for my action: suffer physical pain for the rest of my time. But my physical impairment and pain outweigh the joy of being alive, being able to walk, and, more importantly, believing that I have chosen life over death. I am the miracle, and I will continue to be that miracle to bring hope to others, share my strength to help you believe that nothing is impossible. Believe in yourself and believe in your dream!